CVE-2022-2434 HIGH

CVE-2022-2434: String Locator <= 2.5.0 - Cross-Site Request Forgery to PHAR Deserialization

Vendor Instawp
Product String locator
Weakness CWE-502 · Unsafe deserialization
Published September 6, 2022
Last update April 8, 2026

CVSS base score

8.8/10
Attack vector Network
Attack complexity Low
Privileges required None
User interaction Required
Confidentiality High
Integrity High

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

What the vulnerability does

01Description

The String Locator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to deserialization of untrusted input via the 'string-locator-path' parameter in versions up to, and including 2.5.0. This makes it possible for unauthenticated users to call files using a PHAR wrapper, granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link, that will deserialize and call arbitrary PHP Objects that can be used to perform a variety of malicious actions granted a POP chain is also present. It also requires that the attacker is successful in uploading a file with the serialized payload.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

September 6, 2022 CVE published
April 8, 2026 Record updated