CVE-2022-2434Network attack vector

Code execution via attacker-controlled PHAR path

Published Sep 6, 2022 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

PHP object injection in InstaWP String Locator 2.5.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted PHAR path. editor.php copies string-locator-path from the request into a file path, allowing filesystem operations on an attacker-controlled phar:// URL to deserialize metadata. Exploitation requires an uploaded PHAR payload, a usable POP chain, and a site administrator induced to open the crafted link; object execution can read, alter, or interrupt site data.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.73%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

PHP object injection in InstaWP String Locator 2.5.0 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted PHAR path. editor.php copies string-locator-path from the request into a file path, allowing filesystem operations on an attacker-controlled phar:// URL to deserialize metadata. Exploitation requires an uploaded PHAR payload, a usable POP chain, and a site administrator induced to open the crafted link; object execution can read, alter, or interrupt site data.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-2434
Published
Sep 6, 2022
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
InstaWP
Product
String Locator
Classifications
CWE-502, T1204.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 6, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <=2.5.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

InstaWP · String Locatorversion=0 <=2.5.0

Published CVSS scores

8.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
T1204.001Malicious Link

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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