CVE-2022-2438: managewp broken_link_checker Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2022-2438 is a high (CVSS 7.2) Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in managewp broken_link_checker. EPSS estimates a 1.77% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 77.8% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 06-09-2022
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 08-04-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

Description

The Broken Link Checker plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to deserialization of untrusted input via the '$log_file' value in versions up to, and including 1.11.16. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with administrative privileges and above to call files using a PHAR wrapper that will deserialize the data 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.

• CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted DataThe product deserializes untrusted data without sufficiently ensuring that the resulting data will be valid.