Key points
- CVE-2026-62077 is rated 9.8 CVSS Critical by the National Vulnerability Database.
- The flaw allows unauthenticated PHP object injection in Avala versions 1.1.4 and earlier.
- The vulnerability is classified under CWE-502, indicating insecure deserialization risks.
Website administrators using the BoldThemes Avala plugin must update immediately to address a critical security flaw. The National Vulnerability Database assigned CVE-2026-62077 a maximum CVSS score of 9.8, marking it as a severe risk. This vulnerability affects all versions of the Avala plugin up to and including 1.1.4. Attackers can exploit this issue without needing any login credentials, making it accessible to anyone on the internet who discovers the affected site.
In plain English
PHP object injection allows attackers to manipulate how a program processes data. In this specific case, the Avala plugin fails to properly validate incoming data before processing it. This weakness, categorized as CWE-502 by security researchers, means that malicious code can be injected into the application. Because the flaw is unauthenticated, hackers do not need to steal passwords or bypass login screens to launch an attack. They can send crafted requests directly to the vulnerable plugin endpoints to trigger the injection process.
The background
The BoldThemes Avala plugin is a popular tool for WordPress users seeking specific design functionalities. The vulnerability exists in the code handling object serialization within versions leading up to 1.1.4. Security databases list this issue as a high-priority threat due to its ease of exploitation. The National Vulnerability Database record confirms that the flaw enables remote code execution potential through object injection. No other specific details regarding the discovery date or the specific code functions were provided in the initial NVD record.
What changes now
Site owners need to verify their current Avala plugin version against the affected range. Any installation running version 1.1.4 or older is exposed to this critical risk. The primary mitigation strategy is updating the plugin to a patched version that resolves the object injection flaw. Until an update is applied, the site remains vulnerable to unauthenticated attacks. Administrators should monitor server logs for unusual activity that might indicate exploitation attempts while they prepare to update their software.
What to do and how to stay safe: BoldThemes
- Check your WordPress dashboard to see if you are running Avala version 1.1.4 or earlier.
- Update the plugin to the latest available version once the vendor provides an update.
- Review server access logs for suspicious POST requests targeting the plugin’s endpoints.
- Temporarily disable the plugin if you cannot update immediately and the feature is non-essential.
Step-by-step guide: Emergency Patching: How to Fix Critical Flaws Without Breaking Systems
General security guidance from the Patch Review newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2026-62077?
It is a critical vulnerability in the BoldThemes Avala plugin that allows unauthenticated PHP object injection.
Which versions of Avala are affected?
All versions of the Avala plugin up to and including version 1.1.4 are affected by this flaw.
How severe is this vulnerability?
The National Vulnerability Database rates CVE-2026-62077 as Critical with a CVSS score of 9.8.
