CVE-2022-1029 in Limit Login Attempts Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2022
The Limit Login Attempts WordPress plugin before 4.0.72 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, leading to malicious users with administrator privileges to store malicious Javascript code leading to Cross-Site Scripting attacks when unfiltered_html is disallowed (for example in multisite setup)
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1029 affects the Limit Login Attempts WordPress plugin version 4.0.72 and earlier, representing a critical cross-site scripting weakness that exploits inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. This flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings, where malicious actors with administrator privileges can inject malicious javascript code into plugin configuration parameters. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous in multisite WordPress environments where the unfiltered_html capability is restricted, as this restriction typically prevents untrusted users from executing javascript but fails to protect against administrator-level attacks that can bypass these restrictions through the vulnerable plugin settings.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input when processing configuration settings. According to CWE-79, this represents a classic cross-site scripting vulnerability where untrusted data flows into the application's output without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The plugin's code does not adequately validate or escape settings values that are later rendered in the administrative interface or frontend output, creating opportunities for javascript injection attacks. This weakness allows attackers to store malicious scripts within the plugin's configuration that will execute whenever the affected settings are displayed or processed, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to administrative functions within the WordPress environment. When administrators view plugin settings or when the plugin's functionality is invoked, the stored malicious javascript executes in the context of the administrator's browser session, potentially enabling full administrative control over the WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multisite configurations where the security model relies on restricting unfiltered_html capabilities to prevent widespread script injection across multiple sites within the network. This creates a scenario where an attacker with elevated privileges can bypass normal security restrictions and maintain persistent access through the vulnerable plugin's settings storage mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1029 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 4.0.72 or later, which contain the necessary sanitization and escaping fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring of administrative interface modifications, and enforcement of strict input validation policies. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution through web shells, as the malicious javascript can serve as a persistent backdoor. Administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious javascript payloads, and establish regular monitoring procedures to identify unauthorized modifications to plugin settings. Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is essential to conduct thorough security assessments of all plugin configurations and ensure that the principle of least privilege is maintained in multisite environments where such restrictions are critical for overall security posture.