CVE-2022-0191 in Ad Invalid Click Protector Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2022
The Ad Invalid Click Protector (AICP) WordPress plugin before 1.2.7 does not have CSRF check deleting banned users, which could allow attackers to make a logged in admin remove arbitrary bans
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2022
The Ad Invalid Click Protector plugin for WordPress presents a significant security vulnerability through its insufficient cross-site request forgery protection mechanisms. This weakness exists in versions prior to 1.2.7 and specifically affects the plugin's ability to validate administrative actions when removing banned users from the system. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper CSRF tokens or validation checks that would normally ensure that administrative actions originate from legitimate administrative interfaces rather than maliciously crafted requests. When an administrator performs actions within the WordPress admin dashboard, the system should verify that these actions are genuinely initiated by the authenticated user rather than being executed through automated or deceptive means. The lack of such validation creates an exploitable condition where attackers can craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, result in unauthorized removal of banned users.
This vulnerability operates within the context of web application security frameworks and specifically relates to the improper handling of administrative privileges and user session validation. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the plugin's administrative functions without proper authorization, effectively bypassing the intended access controls. The technical implementation of the plugin fails to incorporate standard security measures such as nonce verification or referer header validation that are fundamental to preventing CSRF attacks. When an administrator visits a malicious page or clicks on a compromised link while logged into their WordPress site, the attacker can exploit this vulnerability to force the administrator's browser to execute the delete function against banned users. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and undermines the integrity of the administrative controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise the effectiveness of the plugin's core security functions. If an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can remove legitimate bans that were established to prevent malicious users from accessing the site or generating invalid clicks that could impact advertising revenue. This creates a scenario where malicious actors can circumvent the plugin's protective measures, potentially leading to increased fraudulent activity on the website. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks, as it demonstrates the absence of proper input validation and administrative control mechanisms. Security researchers have classified this as a medium to high severity issue due to the potential for abuse and the relative ease with which attackers can exploit the flaw without requiring elevated privileges beyond simple access to the WordPress admin interface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to version 1.2.7 or later, where the CSRF protection mechanisms have been implemented. Organizations should also implement additional monitoring of administrative actions within the WordPress environment to detect unusual patterns of user ban removal. Security professionals should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious requests attempting to manipulate administrative functions. The vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-352, which describes cross-site request forgery, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts, as it exploits legitimate administrative access to perform unauthorized actions. Organizations should also review their WordPress plugin management practices to ensure timely updates and maintain inventories of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities across their digital infrastructure.