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CVE-2026-16258 – PHP Object Injection (Unauthenticated) – Ajax Search Lite WordPress Plugin before 4

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Summary

CVE-2026-16258 is a critical PHP Object Injection vulnerability (CWE-502, Deserialization of Untrusted Data) in the Ajax Search Lite WordPress plugin. All versions before 4.14.5 are affected, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious PHP objects. The issue carries a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical).

Technical details

  • Root cause: The plugin deserializes attacker-supplied input without proper validation, enabling PHP Object Injection.
  • Trigger conditions: An unauthenticated request delivering crafted serialized data to the affected plugin functionality.
  • Attack vector: Network-based, requiring no authentication and no user interaction.
  • Impact: Injection of arbitrary PHP objects. Where a suitable gadget (POP) chain is present in the WordPress installation or other installed plugins, this can escalate to remote code execution, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Affected software

  • Ajax Search Lite WordPress plugin: all versions before 4.14.5.

Severity

  • CVSS v3.1 base score: 9.8 (Critical)
  • Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Mitigation and recommended actions

  • Immediate: Update the Ajax Search Lite plugin to version 4.14.5 or later.
  • If no patch can be applied: Restrict or disable the plugin, limit network access to the affected WordPress site, and monitor for suspicious requests containing serialized PHP payloads.

References

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