CVE-2022-0499 in Sermon Browser Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2022
The Sermon Browser WordPress plugin through 0.45.22 does not have CSRF checks in place when uploading Sermon files, and does not validate them in any way, allowing attackers to make a logged in admin upload arbitrary files such as PHP ones.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0499 affects the Sermon Browser WordPress plugin version 0.45.22 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations. This issue stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms within the plugin's file upload functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit administrative privileges. The vulnerability specifically targets the sermon file upload feature, which lacks proper validation and sanitization processes, enabling unauthorized file uploads that can compromise entire WordPress environments.
The technical implementation of this flaw resides in the plugin's failure to implement adequate CSRF tokens during the file upload process. According to CWE-352, this represents a classic Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability where the application does not adequately verify the origin of requests. The absence of CSRF protection means that an attacker can craft malicious requests that appear to originate from authenticated administrators, effectively bypassing the authentication layer. Additionally, the plugin's lack of file validation creates a path for arbitrary code execution through PHP file uploads, as outlined in CWE-434 which addresses insecure file upload vulnerabilities. The vulnerability allows attackers to upload malicious PHP files that can execute arbitrary code on the target server, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. Once an attacker successfully uploads a PHP file, they can leverage the compromised system to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the attacker can execute commands through the uploaded PHP files. The implications are particularly severe in environments where WordPress administrators have elevated privileges, as the uploaded files can be executed with the same permissions as the web server, potentially allowing attackers to modify or delete critical system files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0499 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF and file validation deficiencies. Organizations should implement additional security layers including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious file upload patterns, and establish strict file type validation policies that prevent PHP and other potentially dangerous file extensions from being uploaded. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls can limit the damage if an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of implementing proper input validation and CSRF protection mechanisms, as outlined in OWASP Top 10 security practices, particularly focusing on the prevention of file upload vulnerabilities and the implementation of secure authentication mechanisms.