CVE-2022-0442 in UsersWP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/07/2022
The UsersWP WordPress plugin before 1.2.3.1 is missing access controls when updating a user avatar, and does not make sure file names for user avatars are unique, allowing a logged in user to overwrite another users avatar.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2022
The CVE-2022-0442 vulnerability affects the UsersWP WordPress plugin version 1.2.3.0 and earlier, presenting a critical access control flaw that undermines user data integrity and privacy. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the plugin's avatar upload functionality, specifically failing to implement proper access controls when processing user avatar updates. The flaw allows authenticated users to exploit a path traversal or direct file manipulation technique to overwrite avatars belonging to other users within the WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's failure to enforce proper authorization checks during the avatar update process. When a user uploads or updates their avatar, the system does not validate whether the requesting user has legitimate permission to modify the target user's avatar file. This absence of access control validation creates a privilege escalation scenario where any logged in user can manipulate the avatar update endpoint to target arbitrary user accounts. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the WordPress user management framework, where user avatars are typically stored in predictable locations with predictable naming conventions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. An attacker could overwrite avatars with malicious content, potentially triggering security alerts or creating confusion among users. The lack of unique filename generation for uploaded avatars compounds the issue, as it allows predictable file paths that could be exploited for further attacks. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing improper access control mechanisms in the file system operations. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 Valid Accounts, as it leverages legitimate user accounts to perform unauthorized file operations.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating the UsersWP plugin to version 1.2.3.1 or later, where access controls have been properly implemented. The plugin developers have addressed this issue by introducing proper user authentication checks and ensuring that avatar file names are generated with unique identifiers to prevent overwrites. Organizations should also consider implementing additional monitoring for avatar upload activities and file system modifications within their WordPress installations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign features like avatar uploads can present significant security risks when not properly secured against unauthorized access attempts.