# CVE-2020-23653: ThinkAdmin insecure unserialize vulnerability

> An insecure deserialization flaw in ThinkAdmin allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely via vulnerable API endpoints.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 13 Jan 2021
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-4vp2-mj4m-69m4

## What is CVE-2020-23653?

CVE-2020-23653 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in n/a, published on 13 Jan 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

An insecure unserialize vulnerability was discovered in ThinkAdmin versions 4.x through 6.x in app/admin/controller/api/Update.php and app/wechat/controller/api/Push.php, which may lead to arbitrary remote code execution.

Weakness: CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2020-23653?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including zoujingli/thinkadmin. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `zoujingli/thinkadmin` | Packagist | From 4.0 | 6.1.0 |
| `zoujingli/thinkadmin` | Packagist | From 4.0 | 6.1.0 |

Products: Thinkadmin Thinkadmin.

## How do I fix CVE-2020-23653?

Upgrade zoujingli/thinkadmin to 6.1.0 or later.

## Is CVE-2020-23653 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-23653 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2019-11018](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-11018/): ThinkAdmin Administrator cookies still working after password change (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2023-48965](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-48965/): File upload in n/a (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2023-48966](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-48966/): ThinkAdmin arbitrary file upload vulnerability (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2020-35296](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-35296/): ThinkAdmin Admin Panel Access using Default Credentials (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2020-25540](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-25540/): ThinkAdmin directory traversal vulnerability (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2020-23653 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2020-23653 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in n/a, published on 13 Jan 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2020-23653 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- zoujingli/thinkadmin (Packagist): affected from 4.0; fixed in 6.1.0
- zoujingli/thinkadmin (Packagist): affected from 4.0; fixed in 6.1.0

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-23653/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-23653/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2020-23653
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-23653
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2020-23653

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-23653/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.