CVE-2026-97188Network attack vectorHinoki check available

Conditional code execution via unrestricted object deserialization

Published Oct 7, 2026 · Updated Oct 7, 2026

PHP object injection in InstaWP String Locator before 2.6.8 allows remote attackers to store a serialized object in a database row. The database editor deserializes saved row content without restricting allowable classes, instantiating the object when an administrator opens and saves that row. Arbitrary file deletion, data disclosure, or code execution requires that administrator action and a suitable installed PHP object chain.

CVSS severityUnavailable
Unscored
EPSS probability0.38%
Next 30 days · Oct 19, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkAvailable
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Get started

Summary

What happened

PHP object injection in InstaWP String Locator before 2.6.8 allows remote attackers to store a serialized object in a database row. The database editor deserializes saved row content without restricting allowable classes, instantiating the object when an administrator opens and saves that row. Arbitrary file deletion, data disclosure, or code execution requires that administrator action and a suitable installed PHP object chain.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-97188
Published
Oct 7, 2026
Updated
Oct 7, 2026
Vendor
InstaWP
Product
String Locator
Classifications
T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 7, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 7, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <2.6.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

InstaWP · String Locatorversion=0 <2.6.8

Published CVSS scores

No CVSS assessment is available in this record.

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.

Activity data is delayed. The latest report is Sep 28, 2026.

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

No observations available

Sep 22, 2026Sep 28, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 28, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Get started to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Get started