CVE-2025-27301 Overview
CVE-2025-27301 is a Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability [CWE-502] in the Nazmul Hasan Robin NHR Options Table Manager WordPress plugin. The flaw enables Object Injection in all versions of nhrrob-options-table-manager up to and including 1.1.2. An authenticated attacker with high privileges can deliver crafted serialized payloads that the plugin deserializes without validation. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary PHP object instantiation within the WordPress runtime.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can trigger PHP Object Injection through unsafe deserialization, potentially leading to remote code execution, data tampering, or full site compromise depending on available gadget chains.
Affected Products
- NHR Options Table Manager plugin for WordPress
- All versions from n/a through 1.1.2
- WordPress installations with the nhrrob-options-table-manager plugin active
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-02-24 - CVE-2025-27301 published to the National Vulnerability Database (NVD)
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-27301
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability stems from the plugin invoking PHP deserialization functions on attacker-controlled input. PHP's unserialize() reconstructs objects defined by the serialized stream and triggers magic methods such as __wakeup(), __destruct(), or __toString(). When deserialization runs on untrusted data, attackers can instantiate arbitrary classes loaded in the WordPress context.
Object Injection exploits become powerful when reachable gadget chains exist within WordPress core, other active plugins, or shared libraries. These chains can convert a deserialization primitive into file writes, SQL execution, or arbitrary code execution. The plugin's lack of input validation on serialized strings is the underlying defect tracked under [CWE-502].
Exploitation requires network access and high-privilege authentication, which limits the attacker pool but does not eliminate risk. Compromised administrator accounts, privilege escalation chains, or supply chain attacks against admin sessions can satisfy the precondition.
Root Cause
The root cause is the use of PHP deserialization on data that originates from a request channel without integrity verification or strict type allowlisting. The plugin trusts serialized content stored or transmitted through its options interface and reconstructs objects directly.
Attack Vector
An authenticated administrator-level attacker submits a crafted serialized payload to a plugin endpoint that calls unserialize(). The payload references a class with a usable magic method that performs sensitive actions during object lifecycle events. The vulnerability mechanism is documented in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-27301
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to plugin endpoints containing serialized PHP markers such as O: or a: followed by class names and property counts.
- Unexpected PHP errors referencing __wakeup, __destruct, or unserialize() in web server logs.
- New or modified files in wp-content/ directories created shortly after administrative requests to the plugin.
- Outbound network connections from the PHP worker process following plugin interactions.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web application firewall logs for POST bodies containing PHP serialization syntax targeting nhrrob-options-table-manager routes.
- Monitor the wp_options table and plugin-managed tables for serialized values containing object signatures the plugin does not legitimately produce.
- Correlate administrator login events with subsequent plugin requests to identify abuse of compromised credentials.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable verbose PHP error logging and forward logs to a centralized SIEM for pattern matching on deserialization errors.
- Alert on file integrity changes within the WordPress installation, especially in wp-content/plugins/ and wp-content/uploads/.
- Track administrative account activity, including session creation from new IP addresses or user agents.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-27301
Immediate Actions Required
- Identify all WordPress sites running the nhrrob-options-table-manager plugin at version 1.1.2 or earlier and inventory them.
- Deactivate and remove the plugin until a patched version is confirmed available from the vendor.
- Rotate credentials for all administrator accounts and enforce multi-factor authentication on the WordPress admin interface.
- Audit administrator-created content and plugin settings for serialized payloads or unexpected configuration changes.
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the advisory indicates the vulnerability affects versions through 1.1.2 with no fixed version listed. Monitor the Patchstack Vulnerability Report and the WordPress plugin repository for an updated release that removes the unsafe unserialize() call.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to the WordPress administrative interface using IP allowlists or VPN-only access until the plugin is patched or removed.
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks request bodies containing PHP serialized object markers targeting plugin endpoints.
- Apply the principle of least privilege by reducing the number of accounts with administrator or equivalent capabilities.
- Enable hardening options such as DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT in wp-config.php to limit post-exploitation impact.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
