CVE-2023-22953Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated command execution via serialized cookie gadget chain

Published Feb 9, 2023 · Updated Aug 2, 2024

PHP object injection in ExpressionEngine before 7.2.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute operating-system commands. The filepicker Control Panel endpoint unserializes the exp_viewtype cookie, allowing a Flysystem Adapter gadget chain to write a PHP file into the application directory. Control Panel access is required; successful exploitation installs attacker-controlled PHP that executes commands with the web server process's privileges.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.43%
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 ExpressionEngine before 7.2.6 allows remote authenticated users to execute operating-system commands. The filepicker Control Panel endpoint unserializes the exp_viewtype cookie, allowing a Flysystem Adapter gadget chain to write a PHP file into the application directory. Control Panel access is required; successful exploitation installs attacker-controlled PHP that executes commands with the web server process's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-22953
Published
Feb 9, 2023
Updated
Aug 2, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1190, T1505.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 9, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 2, 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 privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS: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.

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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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1505.003Web Shell

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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