In the Evaluate WordPress plugin (version 1. or earlier), the settings are not properly sanitized and escaped. This can lead to Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks perpetrated by high-privilege users, such as administrators. This remains possible even when the unfiltered_html capability is disabled, as seen in a multisite setup. In this comprehensive post, we will delve into the details of the vulnerability, the affected code snippet, and provide links to original references and exploit details concerning CVE-2022-3753.

Vulnerability Details

The Evaluate WordPress plugin, version 1. or earlier, is prone to CVE-2022-3753, which is a vulnerability allowing Stored XSS attacks. High-privilege users can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts into the plugin's settings. When other users visit the affected site, the malicious scripts will execute, potentially granting the attacker control over the victims' accounts and access to sensitive data.

In a multisite setup, it is possible to mitigate the risk of Stored XSS attacks by disabling the unfiltered_html capability. However, this measure is not sufficient to prevent attacks on the Evaluate WordPress plugin, as the plugin's settings do not get properly sanitized and escaped.

Code Snippet

The vulnerability can be traced back to the lack of sanitization and escaping in the plugin's settings. The affected code snippet is shown below:

function evaluate_update_settings() {
global $evaluate_options;
if ( isset( $_POST['update_settings'] ) ) {
$evaluate_options['example_text'] = $_POST['example_text'];
update_option('evaluate_options', $evaluate_options);
}
}

In the code above, the value of 'example_text' is directly taken from user input without proper sanitization or escaping. This omission allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that can carry out Stored XSS attacks.

1. Evaluate plugin homepage: https://wordpress.org/plugins/evaluate/
2. CVE-2022-3753 details: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-3753

Exploit Details

To exploit the CVE-2022-3753 vulnerability, an attacker with admin privileges can submit a crafted payload containing a malicious script. An example payload is provided below:

<script>alert("XSS Attack")</script>

When a victim visits the affected page, the malicious script will execute, compromising the victim's account and potentially providing the attacker with unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Mitigation

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-3753, users are advised to update their Evaluate WordPress plugin to the latest version. In addition, developers should make sure to properly sanitize and escape user input, especially when it comes to plugin settings and areas where high-privilege users can submit data.

In conclusion, CVE-2022-3753 poses a significant security risk for users running the Evaluate WordPress plugin (version 1. or earlier). By understanding the vulnerability and applying recommended mitigation measures, users can better protect their websites and-sensitive data from potential attacks.

Timeline

Published on: 11/21/2022 11:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/23/2022 15:19:00 UTC