CVE-2026-22384 identifies a critical vulnerability in the leafcolor Applay - Shortcodes WordPress plugin, specifically versions up to and including 3.7. The vulnerability arises from unsafe deserialization of untrusted data, which allows an attacker to perform object injection attacks. Deserialization is the process of converting data from a format suitable for storage or transmission back into an object in memory. When this process is not securely handled, attackers can craft malicious serialized objects that, when deserialized, execute arbitrary code or manipulate application logic. In this case, the plugin does not properly validate or sanitize input before deserializing, enabling attackers to inject malicious objects. This can lead to remote code execution, privilege escalation, or data manipulation depending on the context and the privileges of the web server process. The vulnerability affects all versions of Applay - Shortcodes up to 3.7, with no patch currently available. Although no public exploits have been reported, the nature of deserialization vulnerabilities makes them highly exploitable once discovered. The plugin is used primarily in WordPress environments, which are widely deployed globally, increasing the potential attack surface. The lack of a CVSS score necessitates an expert severity assessment, which rates this vulnerability as high due to its potential impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the ease of exploitation and the absence of required authentication or user interaction.

The impact of CVE-2026-22384 is significant for organizations using the leafcolor Applay - Shortcodes plugin on their WordPress sites. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the web server, leading to full system compromise, data theft, defacement, or use of the server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. This can result in loss of sensitive customer data, disruption of services, reputational damage, and potential regulatory penalties. Since WordPress powers a substantial portion of the web, including many business-critical sites, the vulnerability poses a widespread risk. The ease of exploitation without authentication increases the likelihood of automated attacks and mass exploitation campaigns once the vulnerability becomes widely known. Additionally, compromised sites could be used to distribute malware or conduct phishing attacks, amplifying the threat beyond the initial target. Organizations with public-facing WordPress sites that use this plugin are particularly at risk, especially if they have not implemented additional security controls or monitoring.

To mitigate CVE-2026-22384, organizations should take immediate steps to reduce exposure. First, monitor the vendor’s announcements closely and apply any patches or updates as soon as they become available. Until a patch is released, consider disabling or removing the Applay - Shortcodes plugin if it is not essential. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all data that may be deserialized, ensuring only trusted and expected data formats are processed. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with rules designed to detect and block malicious serialized payloads. Limit the privileges of the web server process to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual deserialization activity or unexpected object instantiations. Additionally, conduct security assessments and penetration testing focused on deserialization vulnerabilities in WordPress environments. Educate development and security teams about the risks of unsafe deserialization and best practices for secure coding.