# CVE-2023-1196: Advanced Custom Fields - Contributor+ PHP Object Injection

> Contributors can trigger PHP object injection via unsafe deserialization, potentially leading to code execution if suitable gadgets exist.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 2 May 2023
- **Updated:** 30 Jan 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-mqwh-49j7-27h8

## What is CVE-2023-1196?

CVE-2023-1196 is a high-severity unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Unknown Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), published on 2 May 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Free and Pro WordPress plugins 6.x before 6.1.0 and 5.x before 5.12.5 unserialize user controllable data, which could allow users with a role of Contributor and above to perform PHP Object Injection when a suitable gadget is present.

Weakness: CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-1196?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Advancedcustomfields Advanced Custom Fields.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-1196?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-1196 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-1196 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-1196 exists.

## Other vulnerabilities in Unknown Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)

- [CVE-2022-2594](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-2594/): Advanced Custom Fields 5.0-5.12.2 - Unauthenticated File Upload (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2024-4565](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-4565/): Advanced Custom Fields < 6.3 - Contributor+ Custom Field Access (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2021-20865](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-20865/): Missing authorization in Advanced Custom Fields and Advanced Custom Fields Pro (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2023-30777](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-30777/): WordPress Advanced Custom Fields / Advanced Custom Fields PRO plugins <= 6.1.5 vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS) (high 7.1)
- [CVE-2024-9529](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-9529/): Secure Custom Fields < 6.3.6.3 - Admin+ Remote Code Execution (medium 6.6)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-1196 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-1196 is a high-severity unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Unknown Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), published on 2 May 2023. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2023-1196 exists.

Affected product: Unknown Advanced Custom Fields (ACF). No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2023-1196/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-1196/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-1196
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-1196
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-1196

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-1196/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.