CVE-2022-0992 in SiteGround Security Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/20/2022
The SiteGround Security plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authentication bypass that allows unauthenticated users to log in as administrative users due to missing identity verification on initial 2FA set-up that allows unauthenticated and unauthorized users to configure 2FA for pending accounts. Upon successful configuration, the attacker is logged in as that user without access to a username/password pair which is the expected first form of authentication. This affects versions up to, and including, 1.2.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The CVE-2022-0992 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in the SiteGround Security plugin for WordPress, impacting versions up to and including 1.2.5. This vulnerability stems from inadequate identity verification mechanisms during the initial two-factor authentication setup process, creating a fundamental security gap that allows unauthorized actors to escalate privileges without proper authentication credentials. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of 2FA configuration for user accounts, enabling attackers to exploit a window of opportunity where account verification is not properly enforced.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's failure to validate user identity during the critical 2FA setup phase. When users attempt to configure two-factor authentication for their accounts, the system does not require proper authentication verification before allowing the configuration process to proceed. This missing validation step creates a race condition where any unauthenticated user can manipulate the 2FA setup flow to associate themselves with an existing user account. The vulnerability manifests as a lack of input sanitization and session validation, allowing attackers to bypass the expected authentication sequence that typically requires username and password credentials before proceeding to 2FA configuration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to WordPress installations using the affected SiteGround Security plugin, as it allows attackers to gain administrative access to accounts without possessing valid login credentials. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates entirely outside the normal authentication flow, making it difficult to detect through standard security monitoring. Once successfully exploited, the attacker gains full administrative privileges on the compromised accounts, potentially leading to complete system compromise including code execution, data exfiltration, and unauthorized modifications to website content and configuration.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 related to valid accounts and credential access. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability can be exploited through automated means, making it particularly dangerous in environments with multiple user accounts or when attackers have access to user account information through other means. The impact extends beyond individual account compromise to potentially affect entire website operations and user data integrity. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates or complete removal of the vulnerable component, while implementing additional monitoring to detect unauthorized 2FA configuration activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin version updates to the patched release, implementation of network-level access controls to restrict administrative access, and deployment of enhanced monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous 2FA configuration patterns. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar authentication bypass vulnerabilities, particularly in security-focused plugins that handle user access and authentication flows. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and identity verification in authentication systems, particularly during critical setup phases where privilege escalation opportunities exist.