CVE-2022-0592 in MapSVG Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2022
The MapSVG WordPress plugin before 6.2.20 does not validate and escape a parameter via a REST endpoint before using it in a SQL statement, leading to a SQL Injection exploitable by unauthenticated users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2022
The MapSVG WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-0592 represents a critical security flaw that affects versions prior to 6.2.20, exposing WordPress installations to unauthorized SQL injection attacks. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's REST API endpoint implementation where user-supplied parameters are inadequately validated and sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of a particular parameter that flows through a REST endpoint without proper input sanitization measures, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to manipulate database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter validation within the plugin's backend processing logic. When an unauthenticated user sends a crafted request to the affected REST endpoint, the plugin fails to properly escape or validate the incoming parameter before incorporating it into a SQL statement. This lack of input sanitization creates a classic SQL injection vector that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, where insufficient input validation enables attackers to manipulate database queries through maliciously crafted input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform unauthorized database operations including data modification, deletion, or extraction. Since the vulnerability is exploitable by unauthenticated users, it significantly lowers the barrier to exploitation and increases the potential attack surface. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain access to sensitive information stored within the WordPress database, potentially including user credentials, configuration details, or other confidential data. The vulnerability also enables more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or database manipulation that could compromise the integrity and availability of the entire WordPress installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0592 primarily focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 6.2.20 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the validation and sanitization issues. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including network-level restrictions to limit access to REST endpoints, database query monitoring to detect anomalous SQL patterns, and comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in API endpoint design. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the technique of SQL Injection (T1071.005) and emphasizes the need for robust input validation controls to prevent exploitation of such weaknesses in web applications.