CVE-2025-49073: Sweet Dessert Object Injection Flaw

CVE-2025-49073 Overview

CVE-2025-49073 is a critical Insecure Deserialization vulnerability affecting the Axiomthemes Sweet Dessert WordPress theme. This vulnerability allows attackers to perform PHP Object Injection attacks by exploiting improper handling of untrusted serialized data. When successfully exploited, an attacker can inject malicious objects that may lead to remote code execution, data manipulation, or complete site compromise.

Critical Impact
This PHP Object Injection vulnerability enables unauthenticated remote attackers to inject arbitrary PHP objects, potentially leading to complete WordPress site takeover, data theft, or server compromise through the Sweet Dessert theme.

Affected Products

Axiomthemes Sweet Dessert (WordPress theme) versions prior to 1.1.13
WordPress installations using vulnerable Sweet Dessert theme versions
Websites running cpe:2.3:a:axiomthemes:sweet_dessert:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*

Discovery Timeline

2025-06-06 - CVE-2025-49073 published to NVD
2026-01-08 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-49073

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper deserialization of untrusted data within the Sweet Dessert WordPress theme (CWE-502). PHP Object Injection vulnerabilities occur when user-controllable input is passed to the unserialize() function without adequate validation or sanitization. In the context of WordPress themes, this typically manifests when theme options, widget configurations, or import/export functionality process serialized data from untrusted sources.

The network-accessible attack vector with no authentication requirements significantly increases the exploitability of this vulnerability. An attacker does not need any special privileges or user interaction to exploit this flaw, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing WordPress sites using the Sweet Dessert theme.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-49073 is the use of PHP's unserialize() function on user-controllable data without proper validation. When the Sweet Dessert theme deserializes untrusted input, an attacker can craft malicious serialized payloads containing specially constructed PHP objects. If the WordPress installation contains compatible "POP chain" gadgets—classes with magic methods like __wakeup(), __destruct(), or __toString()—the injected objects can trigger unintended code execution during the deserialization process.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable over the network without requiring authentication. An attacker can craft a malicious HTTP request containing a serialized PHP object payload targeting vulnerable endpoints in the Sweet Dessert theme. The exploitation process typically involves:

Identifying the vulnerable parameter or endpoint that accepts serialized data
Analyzing available PHP classes in the WordPress ecosystem for exploitable magic method chains
Constructing a serialized payload that instantiates objects designed to execute arbitrary code
Submitting the malicious payload to trigger deserialization and code execution

The attack requires no privileges or user interaction, and when combined with existing POP gadgets in WordPress or installed plugins, can result in full site compromise. For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Database.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-49073

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual HTTP requests containing serialized PHP data (O: prefix patterns) targeting theme endpoints
Unexpected file modifications or new files in the WordPress wp-content/themes/sweet-dessert/ directory
Suspicious PHP objects in database entries related to theme options or widgets
Web server logs showing requests with encoded serialized payloads to theme-related URLs

Detection Strategies

Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block serialized PHP object patterns in request parameters
Monitor for requests containing O:[0-9]+: regex patterns which indicate serialized PHP objects
Deploy file integrity monitoring on theme directories to detect unauthorized modifications
Review server access logs for unusual POST requests targeting Sweet Dessert theme endpoints

Monitoring Recommendations

Enable verbose logging for WordPress and review for deserialization-related errors or warnings
Configure intrusion detection systems to alert on PHP object injection attack signatures
Monitor outbound network connections from the web server that may indicate command-and-control communication
Implement real-time alerting for changes to critical WordPress files and database records

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-49073

Immediate Actions Required

Update the Sweet Dessert theme to version 1.1.13 or later immediately
Audit your WordPress installation for any signs of compromise if the vulnerable theme was exposed
Consider temporarily deactivating the theme and switching to a default WordPress theme until patched
Review and remove any suspicious user accounts or administrative users created without authorization

Patch Information

Axiomthemes has addressed this vulnerability in Sweet Dessert version 1.1.13. The patch resolves the insecure deserialization issue by implementing proper input validation and sanitization before processing serialized data. Site administrators should update to the latest version through the WordPress admin dashboard or by downloading the patched theme directly from the vendor. For additional details, consult the Patchstack security advisory.

Workarounds

Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block serialized PHP object patterns in incoming requests
Restrict access to WordPress admin endpoints and theme-related URLs using IP allowlisting where feasible
Implement server-level PHP configuration to use allowed_classes parameter with unserialize() if modifying theme code
Consider using WordPress security plugins that provide real-time protection against object injection attacks

bash

# Example WAF rule concept for Apache ModSecurity to block serialized PHP objects
# Add to your ModSecurity configuration
SecRule REQUEST_BODY "@rx O:[0-9]+:\"[a-zA-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_]*\":" \
    "id:1001,phase:2,deny,status:403,msg:'PHP Object Injection Attempt Detected'"