CVE-2024-7656 is a critical vulnerability classified under CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code) affecting the Image Hotspot by DevVN WordPress plugin. The flaw stems from unsafe deserialization of untrusted input within the 'devvn_ihotspot_shortcode_func' function, which processes shortcode data. This deserialization allows an authenticated attacker with Author-level privileges or higher to inject crafted PHP objects into the application. Although the plugin itself lacks a built-in POP chain to facilitate full exploitation, the presence of other plugins or themes that provide such chains can enable attackers to leverage this injection to execute arbitrary PHP code, delete arbitrary files, or retrieve sensitive information. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without user interaction, requiring only authenticated access, which is a moderate barrier but still significant given the commonality of Author-level accounts in WordPress environments. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 reflects high impact across confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No patches are currently linked, so mitigation may rely on access control tightening or plugin removal until an update is available. This vulnerability highlights the risks of unsafe deserialization in PHP applications, especially in extensible platforms like WordPress where multiple plugins and themes can interact to amplify exploitability.

The impact of CVE-2024-7656 is substantial for organizations running WordPress sites with the Image Hotspot by DevVN plugin installed. Successful exploitation can lead to full site compromise, including arbitrary code execution, data theft, and destruction of files. This can result in website defacement, loss of customer trust, data breaches involving sensitive user information, and potential lateral movement within the hosting environment. Since the vulnerability requires authenticated access at the Author level, attackers who gain such credentials through phishing, credential stuffing, or insider threats can leverage this flaw to escalate privileges and control the site. The absence of a direct POP chain in the plugin means exploitation depends on the presence of other vulnerable components, but given the typical complexity of WordPress environments, this risk is non-trivial. The vulnerability could be used to deploy backdoors, ransomware, or pivot to other systems, making it a critical concern for website operators, especially those handling sensitive data or e-commerce transactions.

1. Immediately restrict Author-level and higher privileges to trusted users only and audit existing accounts for suspicious activity. 2. Temporarily disable or remove the Image Hotspot by DevVN plugin until a security patch is released. 3. Monitor WordPress logs and web server logs for unusual deserialization attempts or suspicious shortcode usage. 4. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block malicious serialized PHP payloads targeting the vulnerable function. 5. Harden the WordPress environment by disabling unnecessary plugins and themes to reduce the likelihood of exploitable POP chains. 6. Implement strict input validation and sanitization for all shortcode inputs where possible. 7. Keep all WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated to minimize the risk of chained exploits. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on deserialization and code injection vectors. 9. Once a patch is available from the vendor, apply it promptly and verify the fix. 10. Educate site administrators about the risks of privilege escalation and the importance of credential security.