CVE-2023-1381Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated code execution via unchecked PHAR image path

Published Apr 10, 2023 · Updated Feb 11, 2025

PHAR deserialization in JoomUnited WP Meta SEO before 4.5.5 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via crafted image paths. The reloadAnalysis method converts an image src value from POST content to a filesystem path and passes it to file_exists without rejecting phar://. Code execution requires Author-level access, PHP 7.x, an uploaded PHAR image, and configured Google Analytics data that loads the bundled gadget chain.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.69%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

PHAR deserialization in JoomUnited WP Meta SEO before 4.5.5 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via crafted image paths. The reloadAnalysis method converts an image src value from POST content to a filesystem path and passes it to file_exists without rejecting phar://. Code execution requires Author-level access, PHP 7.x, an uploaded PHAR image, and configured Google Analytics data that loads the bundled gadget chain.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-1381
Published
Apr 10, 2023
Updated
Feb 11, 2025
Vendor
JoomUnited
Product
WP Meta SEO
Classifications
CWE-502, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 10, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 11, 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 <4.5.5

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

JoomUnited · WP Meta SEOversion=0 <4.5.5

Published CVSS scores

8.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-502Deserialization of Untrusted Data
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

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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