CVE-2022-0193 in Complianz Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2022
The Complianz WordPress plugin before 6.0.0 does not escape the s parameter before outputting it back in an attribute in an admin page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/17/2022
The Complianz WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-0193 represents a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions prior to 6.0.0. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's administrative interface where user-supplied input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the browser. The specific issue occurs when the s parameter is processed and outputted within an HTML attribute, creating an opening for malicious script execution. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly neutralize potentially harmful characters in the parameter before rendering them in the page context.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious URL containing crafted script payloads within the s parameter and deliver it to an authenticated administrator user. When the administrator clicks the malicious link, the script executes within their browser context, potentially allowing for session hijacking, credential theft, or privilege escalation. The reflected nature of this XSS means that the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through traditional security measures. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as the improper handling of input data that is then reflected back to users without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0193 extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to WordPress administrative interfaces. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to modify plugin settings, install malicious code, or even gain full administrative control of the affected WordPress site. The vulnerability affects the plugin's administrative pages where the s parameter is used to filter or sort content, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered by simple navigation actions within the admin dashboard. This type of vulnerability is categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1547.001 which involves the use of Windows Registry run keys for persistence, though in this case the persistence mechanism would be through compromised administrative sessions rather than registry modifications.
Organizations should immediately update to Complianz plugin version 6.0.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the patch includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in admin page access and parameter usage, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of input/output handling practices. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where elevated privileges can be exploited. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit similar XSS vulnerabilities in their WordPress environments.