CVE-2022-0706 in Easy Digital Downloads Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2022
The Easy Digital Downloads WordPress plugin before 2.11.6 does not sanitise and escape the Downloadable File Name in the Logs, which could allow high privilege users to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0706 affects the Easy Digital Downloads WordPress plugin version 2.11.5 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting weakness that exploits improper input sanitization within the plugin's logging functionality. This flaw specifically targets the Downloadable File Name field in the logs section where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized or escaped before being rendered in the web interface. The vulnerability occurs when the unfiltered_html capability is restricted, which is a common security practice in WordPress installations to prevent malicious code injection. The plugin's failure to properly handle user input in this context creates an opportunity for attackers with high privilege levels to execute malicious scripts within the browser of other users who view the logs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's insufficient data validation and output escaping mechanisms. When administrators or users with elevated privileges access the plugin's logs interface, the Downloadable File Name field contains unprocessed user input that may include malicious script tags or other harmful code. This represents a classic cross-site scripting scenario where the attacker can inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only high privilege access levels rather than administrative privileges, making it exploitable by users who have been granted significant permissions within the WordPress environment but not full administrative control. This aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output escaping.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and redirection to malicious websites. When high privilege users access the logs section, they become potential vectors for more severe attacks that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users with varying permission levels access the same administrative interface, as it could allow a less privileged user with access to the logs to escalate their privileges or gain access to sensitive information. This weakness directly violates the principle of least privilege and can facilitate broader compromise of the web application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0706 focus primarily on upgrading to the patched version 2.11.6 or later, which implements proper sanitization and escaping of user input in the logs section. Administrators should also ensure that the unfiltered_html capability is properly restricted to prevent additional attack vectors, as this capability is often used to bypass security measures in WordPress. Security monitoring should include regular checks for unusual activity in the logs section and verification that user input is properly validated before being displayed. Organizations should also implement proper access controls to limit who can view sensitive logs and ensure that all plugin updates are applied promptly to address known vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to verify that the fix properly handles all types of user input and does not introduce regressions in the plugin's functionality. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage through XSS vulnerabilities.