CVE-2022-0593 in Login with Phone Number Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/14/2022
The Login with phone number WordPress plugin before 1.3.7 includes a file delete.php with no form of authentication or authorization checks placed in the plugin directory, allowing unauthenticated user to remotely delete the plugin files leading to a potential Denial of Service situation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0593 affects the Login with phone number WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 1.3.7, presenting a critical security flaw that enables unauthenticated remote file deletion. This issue resides within the plugin's directory structure where a delete.php file exists without any authentication or authorization mechanisms, creating an exploitable entry point for malicious actors. The vulnerability represents a direct violation of fundamental security principles and demonstrates poor implementation practices that undermine the integrity of the WordPress ecosystem.
The technical flaw manifests through the absence of proper access controls within the delete.php script, which allows any remote user to execute file deletion commands without verification of their credentials or privileges. This lack of authentication checks creates a path for attackers to remove critical plugin files from the server, potentially leading to complete service disruption. The vulnerability operates at the file system level, bypassing WordPress's normal security mechanisms and directly targeting the plugin's operational components. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 Access Control, specifically the absence of proper authorization checks, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1489 Disabling Security Tools where adversaries disable or remove security controls to maintain persistence or cause damage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file deletion, creating a potential denial of service scenario that can severely disrupt website functionality and user access. When attackers successfully exploit this vulnerability, they can remove core plugin files, preventing users from logging in via phone number functionality and potentially causing cascading effects throughout the website's authentication system. The implications are particularly severe for websites relying on phone number authentication, as this could completely disable user access to their services and compromise the entire authentication infrastructure. Organizations may experience service outages, loss of user trust, and potential data exposure due to the disruption of critical authentication services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0593 require immediate action including updating the affected plugin to version 1.3.7 or later, which addresses the authentication gap in the delete.php file. System administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any other plugins or components with similar vulnerabilities, implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments. The remediation process must include monitoring for unauthorized file modifications and establishing proper file permission controls to prevent unauthorized deletion operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain regular backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery from potential attacks. Security teams should also review their incident response protocols to address similar vulnerabilities and implement automated scanning tools to detect such misconfigurations across their entire WordPress infrastructure.