CVE-2022-1209 in Ultimate Member Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/11/2022
The Ultimate Member plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary redirects due to insufficient validation on supplied URLs in the social fields of the Profile Page, which makes it possible for attackers to redirect unsuspecting victims in versions up to, and including, 2.3.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1209 affects the Ultimate Member plugin for WordPress, a popular user management solution that enables website administrators to create custom registration forms, user profiles, and social login functionality. This specific flaw resides within the plugin's handling of social fields on profile pages where user-provided URLs are processed without adequate validation mechanisms. The issue impacts all versions of the plugin up to and including version 2.3.1, making it a significant concern for WordPress sites utilizing this particular user management tool. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and validate URLs submitted through social media profile fields, creating an avenue for malicious actors to exploit the system's redirect functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's insufficient input validation when processing social field data submitted by users during profile creation or modification. When users enter URLs in social media profile fields such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn links, the plugin accepts these inputs without proper sanitization checks. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious URLs that contain redirect parameters, allowing them to manipulate the plugin's redirect behavior. This flaw essentially creates a server-side request forgery vulnerability where the plugin's redirect function can be coerced to navigate users to attacker-controlled domains. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the plugin's profile page functionality, making it particularly dangerous in environments where social login and profile management are heavily utilized.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1209 extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it enables sophisticated phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks that can compromise user trust and security. An attacker could redirect users to malicious domains that appear legitimate, potentially harvesting credentials or personal information through deceptive means. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users might be directed to attacker-controlled sites that mimic legitimate services, creating a significant risk for credential theft and data exfiltration. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed through social engineering tactics, making it especially dangerous in contexts where users frequently update their profile information or where the plugin is used for community or membership site functionality. The vulnerability essentially undermines the security of user profile management and can serve as a stepping stone for more extensive attacks within the compromised WordPress environment.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies that include updating to the latest version of the Ultimate Member plugin where this vulnerability has been addressed. The fix typically involves implementing proper URL validation and sanitization mechanisms that ensure all input URLs conform to expected formats and domains. Security measures should include input validation that checks for proper URL syntax, domain restrictions, and the removal of potentially malicious redirect parameters. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious redirect patterns. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 which addresses URL redirect vulnerabilities and represents a significant risk for organizations operating under regulatory frameworks that require robust security controls. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving credential access through social engineering and phishing, making it relevant to both defensive and offensive security operations. Regular security audits and penetration testing should include verification that all user profile fields properly validate input data to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced in other plugins or custom code implementations.