CVE-2022-3679Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Administrator-triggered code execution via serialized import

Published Jan 9, 2023 · Updated Apr 9, 2025

PHP object injection in Kadence Starter Templates before 1.2.17 allows remote authenticated users to load objects through an imported file. The import_customizer_options function passes attacker-controlled serialized content from the import file to PHP unserialize(). Administrator access and a suitable POP gadget chain from another installed plugin or theme are required; exploitation can read or delete files or execute code.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability0.92%
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 Kadence Starter Templates before 1.2.17 allows remote authenticated users to load objects through an imported file. The import_customizer_options function passes attacker-controlled serialized content from the import file to PHP unserialize(). Administrator access and a suitable POP gadget chain from another installed plugin or theme are required; exploitation can read or delete files or execute code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-3679
Published
Jan 9, 2023
Updated
Apr 9, 2025
Vendor
The Events Calendar
Product
Kadence Starter Templates
Classifications
CWE-502, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 9, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 9, 2025Record 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 <1.2.17

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Events Calendar · Kadence Starter Templatesversion=0 <1.2.17

Published CVSS scores

6.6WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NIST NVDCVSS: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.

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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
T1204.002Malicious File

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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