CVE-2022-1469 in FiboSearch Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2022
The FiboSearch WordPress plugin before 1.17.0 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2022
The FiboSearch WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-1469 represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions prior to 1.17.0. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings and configuration data, creating a persistent security risk within WordPress environments. The flaw manifests when high-privilege users with administrative capabilities attempt to modify plugin settings while the unfiltered_html capability is restricted, which is a standard security practice in WordPress installations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, allowing malicious scripts to be injected and stored within the plugin's configuration parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws occurring when untrusted data is improperly integrated into web pages without appropriate sanitization or escaping. In the context of WordPress, this vulnerability exploits the plugin's failure to properly validate and escape user-supplied input before storing it in the database. When administrators or other high-privilege users access the plugin settings page or when the stored data is rendered in the frontend, the malicious scripts execute within the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only administrative access, which is often more limited than the general user base but still represents a significant threat vector.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1469 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities through the compromised administrative session. Attackers could inject malicious scripts that steal cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate the plugin's functionality to create backdoors within the WordPress environment. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code persists until manually removed from the plugin's configuration, potentially affecting all users who interact with the compromised WordPress site. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which covers Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the stored scripts can be used to execute arbitrary commands within users' browsers. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where WordPress sites may serve as critical business platforms, as successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, service disruption, or compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1469 primarily involve immediate patching of the FiboSearch plugin to version 1.17.0 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unauthorized plugin modifications, conducting regular security audits of WordPress installations, and ensuring that only necessary capabilities are granted to administrative users. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output escaping practices in web application development, as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security recommendations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against similar stored XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities, and administrators should verify that all third-party plugins and themes are up-to-date with the latest security patches.