CVE-2022-0867 in Pricing Table Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2022
The Pricing Table WordPress plugin before 3.6.1 fails to properly sanitize and escape user supplied POST data before it is being interpolated in an SQL statement and then executed via an AJAX action available to unauthenticated users
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0867 affects the Pricing Table WordPress plugin version 3.6.0 and earlier, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that exploits improper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied POST data through an AJAX endpoint that lacks authentication requirements, creating an attack surface accessible to unauthenticated users. The flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user input before incorporating it into SQL statements, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted POST requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's inadequate data sanitization practices within its AJAX processing functionality. When unauthenticated users submit POST requests to the vulnerable endpoint, the plugin directly interpolates user-supplied parameters into SQL queries without proper escaping or validation. This represents a classic SQL injection vulnerability categorized under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates through an AJAX interface that typically bypasses many standard security controls and is designed to handle dynamic content updates without requiring user authentication.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0867 extends beyond simple data theft, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the affected WordPress installation's database. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information, modify database records, inject malicious content, or potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that any visitor to the website can exploit this vulnerability without requiring prior access credentials, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible WordPress sites. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1190 for exploit public-facing application, as it targets publicly exposed web application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 3.6.1 or later, which contain the necessary sanitization fixes. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, database query parameterization, and monitoring for unusual database access patterns. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive security auditing of all installed plugins and themes, as this vulnerability pattern suggests potential for similar flaws in other components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify and remediate similar issues across their WordPress environments, ensuring that all database interactions properly utilize parameterized queries rather than direct string interpolation.