CVE-2022-1455 in Call Now Button Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/16/2022
The Call Now Button WordPress plugin before 1.1.2 does not escape a parameter before outputting it back in an attribute of a hidden input, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting when the premium is enabled
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1455 affects the Call Now Button WordPress plugin version 1.1.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This issue stems from insufficient input sanitization within the plugin's codebase, specifically when handling user-provided parameters that are subsequently rendered in HTML attributes. The vulnerability manifests when the premium features of the plugin are enabled, indicating that the flaw is not present in the basic functionality but rather in enhanced capabilities that process external inputs.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the plugin's handling of parameters passed through HTTP requests, particularly when processing form data or URL parameters that are then embedded into hidden input fields. The plugin fails to properly escape or sanitize these parameters before incorporating them into HTML attributes, creating a vector for malicious script execution. When a victim visits a page containing the vulnerable plugin with premium features active, and the malicious parameter is processed and reflected back in the page's HTML, the unescaped script code executes in the victim's browser context. This behavior aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of input data that is directly embedded into web pages without appropriate escaping or validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1455 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to manipulate user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Attackers can craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, would execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser session. This presents particular risk in WordPress environments where administrators or users may be logged in with elevated privileges, potentially allowing attackers to escalate their access or perform unauthorized actions. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, typically involving the victim clicking on a malicious link, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering campaigns. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload is not stored on the server but rather injected through the request parameters, making it difficult to detect through traditional server-side scanning methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1455 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 1.1.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to properly escape output parameters. System administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious parameter patterns, input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, and regular security auditing of installed WordPress plugins. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1190 technique for exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and output encoding practices. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and conduct regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code components. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual parameter patterns in HTTP requests that may indicate attempts to exploit this or similar XSS vulnerabilities.