CVE-2021-29654Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Administrator code execution via unsafe PHP deserialization

Published Apr 14, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Unsafe deserialization in Ajax Search Pro before 4.20.8 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via crafted import data. The asp_import_instances and asp_import_settings functions base64-decode administrator-supplied import fields and pass them directly to PHP unserialize(). Only WordPress administrators can reach the import page, and code execution additionally requires a usable object gadget from another loaded plugin, theme, or custom code.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability2.21%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unsafe deserialization in Ajax Search Pro before 4.20.8 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via crafted import data. The asp_import_instances and asp_import_settings functions base64-decode administrator-supplied import fields and pass them directly to PHP unserialize(). Only WordPress administrators can reach the import page, and code execution additionally requires a usable object gadget from another loaded plugin, theme, or custom code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-29654
Published
Apr 14, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-502
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 14, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.2NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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