The Profile Builder Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to and including 3.14.5. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the use of PHP's maybe_unserialize() function on the attacker-controlled 'args' POST parameter within the wppb_request_users_pins_action_callback() AJAX handler, which lacked any nonce verification, type checking, or input validation before deserialization. Because the handler was registered with both wp_ajax_ and wp_ajax_nopriv_ hooks, it was reachable by completely unauthenticated users.
Risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in the application. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to inject arbitrary PHP objects into application memory, leading to further exploitation and compromise of the affected system. The CVSS score of 8.1 categorizes this as a high-severity vulnerability, emphasizing its criticality.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. The exploitation status indicates that no public exploit has been confirmed at this time; however, the nature of the vulnerability suggests that it could be exploited by attackers actively monitoring for such flaws.
Given the high potential impact and the ease of exploitation, it is crucial for organizations using this plugin to address the vulnerability in their patch cycle as soon as possible.
Vulnerability Details
The Profile Builder Pro plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in all versions up to and including 3.14.5. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-502, indicating a general issue related to deserialization of untrusted data. The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.1, reflecting a high severity level.
The vulnerability was published on May 2, 2026, and is classified as received, indicating that it has been acknowledged but not yet resolved by the vendor.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper handling of user input in the AJAX handler. Specifically, the lack of nonce verification, type checking, or input validation before deserialization allows attackers to manipulate the 'args' parameter. The attack vector is network-based, and the complexity is classified as high, meaning that while exploitation is possible, it may require a specific set of conditions to succeed.
No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is not necessary. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high, as successful exploitation could lead to a complete compromise of the application.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is significant. Organizations utilizing the Profile Builder Pro plugin should be particularly vigilant, as the potential for unauthorized access and data manipulation is high. The blast radius could extend to any system utilizing this plugin, leading to widespread impacts if exploited.
Given the CVSS score of 8.1, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Failure to do so may expose them to severe operational impacts.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
All versions prior to vendor patch (3.14.5) are affected by this vulnerability in the Profile Builder Pro plugin for WordPress.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply any available patches or updates from the vendor immediately to mitigate this vulnerability. For those unable to patch immediately, consider implementing configuration hardening to limit exposure, such as restricting access to the affected AJAX handler. Monitoring for unusual behavior in application logs may also help detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
For detailed guidance on securing your WordPress applications, organizations can refer to best practices for application security assessments.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor their application logs for indicators of exploitation attempts, including unusual POST requests to the wppb_request_users_pins_action_callback() handler. Behavioral anomalies in user interactions with the system can also provide clues to potential exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of this vulnerability highlights the need for ongoing vigilance in securing plugins and third-party components within WordPress environments. As PHP Object Injection vulnerabilities can lead to severe compromises, security teams should prioritize their remediation strategies.
This incident reflects a broader trend of increasing exploitation of deserialization vulnerabilities in web applications. Security teams should adopt comprehensive testing methodologies to identify and mitigate such vulnerabilities effectively, especially in plugins.
For further insights into enhancing security practices, organizations can explore related resources on penetration testing methodology, vulnerability management program design, and cloud penetration testing best practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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