CVE-2022-0649 in AdRotate Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2022
The AdRotate WordPress plugin before 5.8.23 does not escape Group Names, which could allow high privilege users to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2022
The AdRotate WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-0649 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions prior to 5.8.23. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of group names within its administrative interface, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code. The issue arises from insufficient output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied group names before rendering them in the web interface. Security researchers have identified that this flaw particularly impacts high-privilege users who can leverage their administrative capabilities to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's group management functionality. The vulnerability exists in the context of WordPress's content management system where plugins extend core functionality while maintaining security boundaries. When users with appropriate privileges create or modify group names, the plugin fails to implement proper HTML escaping, allowing attackers to inject script tags that execute in the context of other users' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply proper output sanitization when displaying group names in administrative panels. This weakness creates a persistent cross-site scripting vector where malicious group names containing script tags can be stored and subsequently rendered without proper escaping. The flaw becomes particularly dangerous when combined with WordPress's capability management system, as it allows attackers to bypass restrictions that typically prevent execution of unfiltered HTML content. Even when the unfiltered_html capability is properly restricted, the vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious code that executes in the context of administrators or other users who view the affected group names. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications. The vulnerability can be exploited through the plugin's administrative interface where group names are displayed in various contexts including dropdown menus, form fields, and list views. The flaw has been categorized under CWE-79 as a Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability, specifically manifesting as an issue in the plugin's user interface rendering logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating potential pathways for privilege escalation and persistent security breaches within WordPress installations. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that may steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites where AdRotate is actively used for advertisement management, as it provides attackers with a legitimate administrative interface through which to conduct their attacks. Organizations using affected plugin versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and potential compromise of entire WordPress installations. The impact is amplified when considering that many WordPress installations may have multiple administrators with elevated privileges, providing multiple potential attack vectors. Security teams must also consider that this vulnerability could be exploited in combination with other weaknesses to create more sophisticated attack scenarios, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only that an attacker possess sufficient privileges to modify group names, which may be available through various attack vectors including credential compromise or other privilege escalation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0649 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 5.8.23 or later, which contain the necessary output escaping fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect any suspicious activity related to group name modifications or unusual administrative behavior. Regular security audits of installed plugins should include verification of output escaping mechanisms and proper input validation practices. The recommended remediation approach involves immediate patching of affected installations, followed by security reviews of all administrative interfaces that handle user-supplied data. Network security controls should be implemented to monitor for potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual administrative activities or attempts to inject script content. Administrators should also consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and demonstrates the critical nature of output escaping in preventing cross-site scripting attacks. Security teams should also conduct training for administrators on recognizing potential XSS attack vectors and implementing proper security controls. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript and T1566.001 for Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, emphasizing the need for layered defensive approaches. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all WordPress installations.