CVE-2022-3720: The Event Monster WordPress Plugin Vulnerability - SQL Injection Exploit Details and Security Patch

Previously, we have seen our fair share of WordPress plugin vulnerabilities, and today, attention has been drawn to another popular plugin - The Event Monster. With a large number of active installations, The Event Monster plugin plays an essential role in creating, managing and displaying events on various WordPress-based websites. However, a recent discovery revealed that the plugin, specifically versions before 1.2., contained a vulnerability that could put these websites at risk. This critical vulnerability, publicly identified as CVE-2022-3720, exposes the plugin to SQL Injection attacks carried out by high privilege users.

In this comprehensive long-read, we will discuss the origins of this exploit, how the vulnerability works, and the repercussions of leaving it unpatched. We will also provide detailed information, including code snippets, on how to identify and apply the required security updates to protect your WordPress site.

The Vulnerability: SQL Injection Exploit

The primary issue with The Event Monster plugin versions before 1.2. is the lack of proper parameter validation and escaping before their implementation in SQL statements. To understand how this vulnerability could lead to SQL Injection attacks, let's delve into the code snippet that highlights the exploit.

Code Snippet

function get_events() {
    global $wpdb;
    $orderby = $_GET['orderby'];
    $order = $_GET['order'];
    $query = "SELECT * FROM {$wpdb->prefix}event_monster_events ORDER BY $orderby $order";
    $events = $wpdb->get_results($query);
    return $events;
}

In the code snippet above, the get_events() function retrieves event data using $_GET parameters 'orderby' and 'order'. Unfortunately, these parameters lack any validation or escaping before being incorporated into the SQL query, causing potential harm to both your website and its database.

The repercussions of leaving this vulnerability unpatched involve unauthorized access to sensitive information, potential data manipulation, and even the complete takeover of your WordPress website.

Official References

To verify the authenticity of this vulnerability and the recommended security patch, you can refer to the following authoritative resources:

1. CVE-2022-3720: National Vulnerability Database (NVD) - https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3720
2. WordPress Plugin Vulnerabilities: WPVulnDB - https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/1086

How to Protect Your Website

Before implementing the necessary security measures, you should first determine if your website is at risk by verifying the version of The Event Monster plugin installed on your WordPress site.

To protect your website against this exploit, follow these steps

1. Update The Event Monster plugin: Make sure to update the plugin to the latest version (1.2. or higher) as soon as possible to apply the security patch that addresses the SQL Injection vulnerability.
2. Limit user privileges: Ensure that only trusted users have high privilege access to your WordPress site to limit the potential attack surface.
3. Regularly monitor your site's security: Keep a close eye on your site's security and regularly update your plugins, themes, and WordPress core to ensure they are always patched against known vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

With online security being a crucial aspect of maintaining the integrity and reputation of your website, it is imperative to act promptly and responsibly when faced with potential vulnerabilities. By acknowledging the CVE-2022-3720 vulnerability in The Event Monster plugin and following the steps outlined above, you can help protect your WordPress site and its underlying database from potential threats.

Always remember that keeping your site safe is an ongoing process. Regularly assess the security of your website, follow best practices, and stay informed about new vulnerabilities and defense mechanisms. By doing so, you can actively safeguard your online presence and diminish the risks posed by plugin vulnerabilities like the one we discussed today.

Timeline

Published on: 11/21/2022 11:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/23/2022 15:58:00 UTC