CVE-2025-53465 Overview
CVE-2025-53465 is a PHP Object Injection vulnerability affecting the raoinfotech GSheets Connector (sheetlink) plugin for WordPress. The flaw stems from deserialization of untrusted data [CWE-502] in plugin versions up to and including 1.1.1. An authenticated attacker with high privileges can submit crafted serialized PHP payloads that the plugin unserializes without validation. Successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary object instantiation, which may chain into remote code execution, file modification, or data exfiltration when suitable gadget chains are present in the WordPress runtime.
Critical Impact
Authenticated object injection in the GSheets Connector plugin can compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of WordPress sites that integrate Google Sheets data.
Affected Products
- raoinfotech GSheets Connector (sheetlink) WordPress plugin
- All versions from initial release through 1.1.1
- WordPress installations using the GSheets Connector integration
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-09-22 - CVE-2025-53465 published to NVD
- 2026-04-23 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-53465
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-502] Deserialization of Untrusted Data. The GSheets Connector plugin calls PHP unserialize() on attacker-influenced input without first validating the structure or origin of the serialized blob. When PHP processes a serialized object, it invokes magic methods such as __wakeup(), __destruct(), and __toString() on the reconstructed object. If any class loaded in the WordPress context exposes a useful gadget chain through these methods, the attacker can pivot from object instantiation to file writes, SQL execution, or arbitrary command execution. The EPSS score for this issue is 0.58% as of mid-2026, indicating low observed exploitation but a non-trivial theoretical risk.
Root Cause
The root cause is the plugin's reliance on PHP native serialization to transport state through user-reachable parameters. The sheetlink component deserializes input without integrity checks (no HMAC, no allowlist of accepted classes) and without switching to safe formats such as JSON. Any value an authenticated attacker can route into the vulnerable handler becomes a candidate object graph.
Attack Vector
The attack is network-reachable and requires high privileges on the target WordPress instance, typically administrator or editor access to the plugin's settings or import endpoints. An attacker submits a serialized object payload through the affected request parameter. The plugin deserializes the payload during normal processing, which triggers the gadget chain. No user interaction is required after the malicious request is sent.
No verified public proof-of-concept is currently published for CVE-2025-53465. See the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for additional context.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-53465
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to GSheets Connector endpoints containing serialized PHP markers such as O:, a:, or s: followed by length and type metadata.
- Unexpected PHP errors referencing __wakeup, __destruct, or unserialize() in WordPress debug logs.
- New or modified PHP files under wp-content/plugins/sheetlink/ or wp-content/uploads/ shortly after administrator activity.
- Outbound network connections from the web server to unfamiliar hosts initiated by the PHP process.
Detection Strategies
- Inspect web server logs for POST bodies and query strings targeting plugin routes that contain PHP serialization tokens.
- Enable WordPress audit logging to correlate privileged user sessions with plugin configuration changes.
- Apply web application firewall rules that match serialized object signatures against the sheetlink plugin paths.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Monitor file integrity for the WordPress plugin and uploads directories and alert on unexpected writes.
- Track administrator and editor logins, especially from new IP addresses or geolocations.
- Forward web, PHP-FPM, and database logs into a centralized analytics platform for cross-source correlation.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-53465
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the GSheets Connector (sheetlink) plugin to a version newer than 1.1.1 once the vendor publishes a fix.
- If no patched version is available, deactivate and remove the plugin from production WordPress sites.
- Rotate WordPress administrator and editor credentials and review user roles for least privilege.
- Audit wp-content/plugins/sheetlink/ and wp-content/uploads/ for unauthorized files introduced after the disclosure date.
Patch Information
The vulnerability affects GSheets Connector versions through 1.1.1. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for the most current vendor remediation status and any released fixed version.
Workarounds
- Restrict access to the WordPress admin area using IP allowlists and multi-factor authentication.
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks serialized PHP payloads on requests targeting the sheetlink plugin endpoints.
- Apply least-privilege role assignments so that fewer accounts meet the high-privilege precondition required for exploitation.
# Example WAF rule fragment to block PHP serialized payloads to sheetlink endpoints
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@contains /wp-content/plugins/sheetlink/" \
"chain,deny,status:403,id:1005465,msg:'Possible PHP Object Injection in sheetlink'"
SecRule ARGS|REQUEST_BODY "@rx O:[0-9]+:\"[A-Za-z_\\\\]+\":[0-9]+:\{" "t:none"
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
