CVE-2024-10936 is a critical deserialization vulnerability classified under CWE-502 affecting the String locator plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 2.6.6. The vulnerability arises from the unsafe deserialization of untrusted input within the 'recursive_unserialize_replace' PHP function, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary PHP objects. Deserialization vulnerabilities are dangerous because they allow attackers to manipulate serialized data structures, potentially leading to PHP Object Injection (POI). Although the plugin itself does not contain a known POP (Property Oriented Programming) gadget chain to directly exploit this injection, the presence of other plugins or themes on the target WordPress installation could provide such chains. This could enable attackers to perform destructive actions such as deleting arbitrary files, extracting sensitive information, or executing arbitrary code on the server. Exploitation requires an administrator to trigger a search and replace operation, which means user interaction at a privileged level is necessary. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8, indicating high severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, but requiring user interaction. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the risk remains significant due to the potential impact and ease of injection. The vulnerability was publicly disclosed in January 2025 and affects all versions of the plugin up to 2.6.6.

The impact of CVE-2024-10936 is substantial for organizations using the String locator WordPress plugin. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the affected WordPress site, including unauthorized deletion of files, leakage of sensitive data such as credentials or configuration files, and remote code execution, which could allow attackers to pivot further into internal networks. Since WordPress powers a significant portion of websites globally, and plugins like String locator are commonly used for content management and search functionalities, the vulnerability poses a widespread risk. The requirement for an administrator to trigger the exploit limits the attack surface somewhat but does not eliminate it, especially in environments with multiple administrators or where social engineering could be used. The vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against high-value websites, including e-commerce, government, and enterprise portals, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and reputational damage.

To mitigate CVE-2024-10936, organizations should immediately update the String locator plugin to a patched version once available. Until a patch is released, administrators should avoid performing search and replace operations within the plugin to prevent triggering the vulnerability. Implement strict access controls to limit administrative privileges only to trusted personnel and enforce multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of compromised admin accounts. Conduct a thorough audit of installed plugins and themes to identify potential POP gadget chains that could be exploited in combination with this vulnerability, and remove or update any insecure components. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious serialized payloads targeting the vulnerable function. Regularly monitor logs for unusual activity related to plugin usage and deserialization attempts. Additionally, consider isolating WordPress environments and applying the principle of least privilege to minimize the impact of potential exploitation.