CVE-2022-0233 in ProfileGrid Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2022
The ProfileGrid – User Profiles, Memberships, Groups and Communities WordPress plugin is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting due to insufficient escaping via the pm_user_avatar and pm_cover_image parameters found in the ~/admin/class-profile-magic-admin.php file which allows attackers with authenticated user access, such as subscribers, to inject arbitrary web scripts into their profile, in versions up to and including 1.2.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2022
The ProfileGrid WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-0233 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security of user profile management systems. This vulnerability specifically affects versions up to and including 1.2.7 of the ProfileGrid plugin, which is widely used for creating user profiles, membership systems, and community platforms within WordPress environments. The flaw exists in the administrative component of the plugin, particularly in the class-profile-magic-admin.php file where user avatar and cover image parameters are processed without proper input sanitization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient escaping of user-supplied data in the pm_user_avatar and pm_cover_image parameters. When authenticated users with subscriber-level privileges submit profile information containing malicious script code through these parameters, the system fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before storing it in the database. This stored malicious content then gets executed whenever other users view the affected profile pages, creating a persistent XSS attack vector that can be exploited across multiple user sessions.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0233 extends beyond simple script injection, as it enables attackers to potentially escalate privileges, steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of victims. Since the vulnerability requires only authenticated access as a subscriber user, it represents a significant risk for WordPress sites where subscriber accounts are not properly restricted or monitored. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious scripts remain active until manually removed from the database, providing attackers with persistent access to compromised systems.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the ProfileGrid plugin where the XSS flaw has been patched, implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms, and conducting thorough security audits of all user profile management systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls, regular penetration testing, and user access monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Given that this affects WordPress plugin ecosystems, administrators should maintain updated security practices and regularly review plugin security advisories to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising their digital infrastructure.