CVE-2022-0181 in Quiz And Survey Master
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2022
Reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in Quiz And Survey Master versions prior to 7.3.7 allows a remote attacker to inject an arbitrary script via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0181 represents a reflected cross-site scripting flaw within the Quiz And Survey Master plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 7.3.7. This issue resides in the plugin's handling of user input data that is subsequently reflected back to users without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms. The vulnerability creates a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of a victim's browser, potentially compromising user sessions and enabling further exploitation. The affected plugin is widely used for creating online quizzes and surveys, making it a potentially attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise user data or perform unauthorized actions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding practices within the plugin's codebase. When user-provided data is processed and returned to the browser without proper sanitization, attackers can craft malicious payloads that exploit this weakness. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored, requiring users to click on a specially crafted link containing the malicious payload. This characteristic aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where input data is improperly handled and reflected back to users. The vulnerability typically manifests when parameters passed to the plugin are not adequately validated or encoded before being rendered in the browser context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. An attacker could craft a payload that redirects users to malicious sites, steals cookies, or injects additional malicious scripts that persist in the victim's browser. The vulnerability affects any user who interacts with the plugin's functionality, particularly those who might encounter links containing malicious payloads in email communications, forum posts, or other web content. This exposure creates a significant risk for organizations relying on the plugin for educational assessments, employee surveys, or customer feedback systems where sensitive data might be collected or processed. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566, specifically targeting the 'Phishing' technique where malicious links are used to compromise user systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0181 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 7.3.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the reflected XSS vulnerability. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all WordPress installations and plugins remain current with security updates. Additional protective measures include implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, enforcing Content Security Policy headers, and conducting regular security audits of web applications. Organizations should also consider deploying web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious traffic patterns associated with XSS attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as input sanitization, output encoding, and proper error handling to prevent similar issues in web applications. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the web infrastructure, while user education about recognizing suspicious links and attachments remains a critical defense layer against exploitation attempts.