CVE-2022-1093 in WP Meta SEO Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2022
The WP Meta SEO WordPress plugin before 4.4.7 does not sanitise or escape the breadcrumb separator before outputting it to the page, allowing a high privilege user such as an administrator to inject arbitrary javascript into the page even when unfiltered html is disallowed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1093 affects the WP Meta SEO WordPress plugin version 4.4.6 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the plugin's output sanitization mechanisms. This issue specifically targets the breadcrumb separator functionality within the plugin's user interface, where the system fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided input before rendering it on web pages. The vulnerability exists in the context of WordPress content management systems where administrators and other high-privilege users possess elevated permissions to modify plugin settings and configurations.
The technical flaw manifests when administrators configure breadcrumb separators within the WP Meta SEO plugin interface, as the system does not implement proper input validation or output escaping mechanisms for this particular parameter. This oversight allows malicious actors with administrative privileges to inject arbitrary javascript code into the plugin's output, bypassing standard security measures that typically prevent unfiltered HTML injection. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the elevated privileges of administrative users, enabling them to execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected WordPress installation. This behavior aligns with CWE-79 which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities that occur when applications fail to properly escape or sanitize user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent threat vector that could be exploited to perform various malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. An attacker with administrative access could potentially use this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that might steal session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or perform other harmful actions that compromise the integrity of the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only administrative privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by insiders or attackers who have already gained administrative access to the WordPress site. This scenario creates a significant risk for organizations that rely on WordPress for their web presence, as the compromise of administrative accounts could lead to widespread security breaches.
The security implications of CVE-2022-1093 can be analyzed through the lens of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly under the T1548.001 technique for Abuse of Service Accounts and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. The vulnerability enables attackers to establish persistent malicious code execution within the web application environment, potentially allowing for further reconnaissance and privilege escalation activities. Organizations should consider implementing immediate mitigation strategies including updating to the patched version 4.4.7 of the WP Meta SEO plugin, which addresses the sanitization issue by properly escaping breadcrumb separator inputs. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict plugin configuration access to only essential personnel, implement proper input validation measures, and conduct regular security audits of WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper output escaping and input sanitization practices in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content and configuration inputs are common attack vectors.