CVE-2026-16258 Ajax Search Lite < 4.14.5 - Unauthenticated PHP Object Injection via Search Statistics REST Endpoint
Unauthenticated attackers can achieve remote code execution via PHP object injection in the Ajax Search Lite WordPress plugin.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-16258?
CVE-2026-16258 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Unknown Ajax Search Lite, published on 7 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The Ajax Search Lite WordPress plugin before 4.14.5 does not prevent the deserialization of untrusted input, allowing unauthenticated attackers to perform PHP Object Injection. When a suitable POP chain is present via another installed Ajax Search Lite WordPress plugin before 4.14.5 or , this can be leveraged to achieve Remote Code Execution.
Weakness: CWE-502
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-16258?
How do I fix CVE-2026-16258?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-16258 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and only deserialise data from trusted sources or with an allow-list of types. More about Unsafe deserialization.
Is CVE-2026-16258 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-16258 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-m7vw-4232-p79x.