CVE-2022-1010 in Login using WordPress Users Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2022
The Login using WordPress Users ( WP as SAML IDP ) WordPress plugin before 1.13.4 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1010 affects the Login using WordPress Users (WP as SAML IDP) WordPress plugin, specifically versions prior to 1.13.4. This security flaw represents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits the plugin's insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-controllable input data. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it targets high-privilege users such as administrators who possess the unfiltered_html capability, which is typically restricted in multisite WordPress configurations to prevent malicious code injection. The issue manifests when WordPress is configured in a multisite environment where the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed, creating a scenario where administrators might inadvertently introduce malicious script content through the plugin's settings interface.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input before storing it in the WordPress database and subsequently rendering it in web pages without adequate escaping mechanisms. According to CWE-79, this represents a classic stored cross-site scripting vulnerability where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed when other users access the affected pages. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's settings handling functionality, where user-provided data is not adequately validated or escaped before being persisted in the system. This creates an attack surface where authenticated administrators can inject malicious JavaScript code through the plugin's administrative interface, which then executes in the context of other users' browsers when they interact with the plugin's settings or related pages.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1010 is significant, particularly in multisite WordPress environments where security hardening measures are typically implemented. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers with administrator privileges to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the browsers of other users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or complete compromise of user accounts. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the elevated privileges of administrators, who are often trusted users with access to sensitive system configurations. In a typical multisite setup, where the unfiltered_html capability is restricted to prevent XSS attacks, this vulnerability undermines the security model by providing a pathway for privilege escalation through the plugin's settings management. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the database and can affect multiple users over time, making it particularly dangerous for long-term exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1010 focus primarily on upgrading to the patched version 1.13.4 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should immediately update their WordPress installations and verify that the plugin is running the latest secure version. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege management is crucial, including ensuring that only trusted administrators have access to the plugin's settings interface. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege, where administrative capabilities are restricted to only those users who absolutely require them. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and privilege escalation through malicious code injection, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and output encoding practices throughout the application stack. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual plugin settings modifications and potential XSS payloads in user-controllable input fields, as these may indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities in other WordPress plugins.