CVE-2022-0236 in WP Import Export Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/18/2022
The WP Import Export WordPress plugin (both free and premium versions) is vulnerable to unauthenticated sensitive data disclosure due to a missing capability check on the download function wpie_process_file_download found in the ~/includes/classes/class-wpie-general.php file. This made it possible for unauthenticated attackers to download any imported or exported information from a vulnerable site which can contain sensitive information like user data. This affects versions up to, and including, 3.9.15.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0236 represents a critical security flaw within the WP Import Export WordPress plugin ecosystem, affecting both free and premium variants through version 3.9.15. This issue stems from a fundamental lack of access control verification within the plugin's codebase, specifically within the wpie_process_file_download function located in the ~/includes/classes/class-wpie-general.php file. The absence of proper capability checks creates an exploitable condition where unauthorized users can bypass authentication mechanisms and gain access to sensitive data that should only be accessible to authenticated administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the missing capability verification that should normally validate user permissions before allowing file download operations. According to CWE-285, this constitutes an improper authorization vulnerability where the system fails to properly enforce access controls for sensitive operations. The flaw operates at the application level, exploiting a weakness in the plugin's permission model that allows any visitor to the website to initiate download requests for imported or exported data files. This misconfiguration effectively removes the authentication barrier that should protect sensitive information from being exposed to unauthenticated attackers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure, as the downloaded information can contain comprehensive user data including personal identifiers, login credentials, and potentially sensitive business information. Attackers can systematically enumerate and download various data sets that were previously protected by the plugin's intended access controls, creating a significant risk for organizations relying on the WP Import Export plugin for their WordPress installations. The vulnerability's exploitable nature means that attackers do not require any prior credentials or authentication to access the sensitive data, making it particularly dangerous for sites that regularly import or export user information.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of ATT&CK framework's T1213 technique, which involves data from information repositories where attackers can access sensitive data through unauthorized access to system resources. The vulnerability directly enables an attacker to perform information gathering operations without detection, potentially leading to further exploitation opportunities such as credential harvesting, social engineering attacks, or insider threat scenarios. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including plugin version updates, firewall rules to restrict access to plugin endpoints, and monitoring for unauthorized download attempts.
The remediation approach requires immediate patching of the WP Import Export plugin to version 3.9.16 or later, which includes the necessary capability checks to prevent unauthenticated access to sensitive data downloads. Additionally, administrators should review their current plugin configurations and ensure that no unnecessary data exports are stored in accessible locations. Network-level protections such as rate limiting and access control lists can provide additional defense in depth, while comprehensive monitoring of file download activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential to identify similar authorization flaws that could compromise system integrity and data confidentiality.