CVE-2022-1435 in WPCargo Track & Trace Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2022
The WPCargo Track & Trace WordPress plugin before 6.9.5 does not sanitize and escapes some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when unfiltered_html is disallowed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1435 affects the WPCargo Track & Trace WordPress plugin version 6.9.4 and earlier, representing a critical cross-site scripting weakness that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This issue stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-controllable input within the plugin's administrative settings, creating a persistent vector for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's interface. The vulnerability specifically targets high-privilege users such as administrators, who possess the ability to modify plugin settings and configuration parameters, making the attack surface particularly concerning for WordPress environments where administrative access is limited to trusted personnel.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs when processing settings values, particularly within administrative interfaces where unfiltered_html capabilities are typically restricted. This oversight allows attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code into plugin settings that are then rendered in the browser without proper escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates even when WordPress security measures such as unfiltered_html restrictions are properly enforced, indicating that the sanitization occurs at the plugin level rather than being bypassed by WordPress core security controls. This behavior aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses that allow attackers to inject client-side scripts into web applications viewed by other users.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1435 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress environment. When administrators access the plugin settings pages, their browsers execute the malicious scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, data exfiltration, or further exploitation of the compromised administrative session. The vulnerability could enable attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress application or use the compromised administrative session to modify content, install malicious plugins, or manipulate user accounts. This risk is amplified in environments where administrators frequently access plugin settings or where the plugin's administrative interface is used for critical configuration management tasks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the WPCargo Track & Trace plugin to version 6.9.5 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring administrative user activities, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1548.001 - Abuse Elevation of privilege, as it allows attackers to leverage administrative access to perform malicious activities that would otherwise require higher privileges. Administrators should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls, limiting administrative access to only necessary personnel and conducting regular security assessments of WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations may also benefit from implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of security-critical components.