CVE-2022-0885 in Member Hero Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2022
The Member Hero WordPress plugin through 1.0.9 lacks authorization checks, and does not validate the a request parameter in an AJAX action, allowing unauthenticated users to call arbitrary PHP functions with no arguments.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The CVE-2022-0885 vulnerability affects the Member Hero WordPress plugin version 1.0.9 and earlier, presenting a critical authorization flaw that enables unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary PHP functions through the plugin's AJAX interface. This vulnerability stems from the absence of proper access control mechanisms and insufficient input validation within the plugin's handling of the 'a' request parameter. The flaw exists in the plugin's AJAX action implementation where it directly utilizes user-supplied input without adequate sanitization or authentication verification, creating a pathway for malicious exploitation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the plugin's AJAX endpoint which accepts a parameter named 'a' that is used to determine which PHP function to execute. Since no authorization checks are performed and the parameter is not properly validated, attackers can manipulate this input to invoke any PHP function available within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows execution of arbitrary code without requiring authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the plugin's AJAX interface. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-863, which addresses improper authorization issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through PHP.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a means to execute arbitrary code on the affected WordPress site, potentially leading to complete system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to upload malicious files, modify existing content, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access through backdoors. The lack of argument validation means that functions can be called without parameters, potentially enabling attackers to exploit functions that may have side effects or that could be chained with other vulnerabilities. This vulnerability affects WordPress installations where the Member Hero plugin is active, making it particularly concerning given the widespread use of WordPress and the plugin's functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0885 should prioritize immediate action including updating to a patched version of the Member Hero plugin if available, or temporarily disabling the plugin until a security update can be applied. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the plugin's AJAX endpoints and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in AJAX requests, particularly those containing unexpected function names or parameters. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar authorization flaws and ensure proper input validation is implemented across all user-controllable parameters. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of implementing defense-in-depth strategies including proper access controls, input sanitization, and regular security assessments of third-party components.