CVE-2022-1282 in Photo Gallery Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/02/2022
The Photo Gallery by 10Web WordPress plugin before 1.6.3 does not properly sanitize the $_GET['image_url'] variable, which is reflected back to the users when executing the editimage_bwg AJAX action.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/05/2022
The Photo Gallery by 10Web WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-1282 represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that arises from improper input sanitization within the plugin's AJAX handling mechanism. This flaw exists in versions prior to 1.6.3 and specifically affects the editimage_bwg AJAX action where the $_GET['image_url'] parameter is not adequately sanitized before being reflected back to users. The vulnerability stems from a failure to implement proper input validation and output encoding practices, creating an environment where malicious actors can inject malicious scripts into the application's response. The issue manifests when the plugin processes image URL parameters without sufficient sanitization, allowing attackers to manipulate the reflected content through crafted URL parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the image_url parameter within the AJAX endpoint, which serves as an attack vector for executing cross-site scripting attacks against authenticated users. When a user accesses the vulnerable plugin functionality, the unsanitized image URL parameter gets directly embedded into the page response, creating a reflective XSS condition. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and more precisely with CWE-116 which deals with improper encoding or escaping of output. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it leverages the plugin's legitimate AJAX functionality to deliver malicious payloads, making detection more challenging for security monitoring systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1282 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or manipulate the plugin's functionality to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when accessed by authenticated users, would execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the user's browser session. This could lead to complete compromise of user accounts, especially if administrators or privileged users access the vulnerable plugin functionality. The vulnerability also potentially enables privilege escalation attacks when combined with other exploitation techniques, as attackers could manipulate the plugin's behavior to perform unauthorized actions. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment) and T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript) as it allows for the delivery and execution of malicious scripts through the web interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1282 primarily focus on immediate patching of the Photo Gallery plugin to version 1.6.3 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement additional protective measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding of all dynamic content, and regular security scanning of WordPress installations. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious requests targeting this specific vulnerability. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual AJAX requests and parameter manipulation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper parameter handling and the need for comprehensive security testing of WordPress plugins, particularly those that handle user-provided data through AJAX endpoints. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments of third-party plugins remain essential for maintaining secure WordPress environments and preventing exploitation of similar input sanitization flaws.