CVE-2022-1568 in Team Members Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/30/2022
The Team Members WordPress plugin before 5.1.1 does not escape some of its Team 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 • 06/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1568 affects the Team Members WordPress plugin version 5.1.1 and earlier, representing a critical cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of team settings data, where insufficient output escaping creates opportunities for malicious code execution within the context of high-privilege user sessions. The flaw is particularly concerning because it operates even when WordPress's unfiltered_html capability has been restricted, which is a standard security measure designed to prevent unauthorized execution of potentially harmful scripts. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape user-controllable input fields within its administrative settings interface, allowing attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's insufficient sanitization of data submitted through its team member configuration forms. When administrators modify team member settings, the plugin stores this data without adequate escaping mechanisms that would prevent script execution in web contexts. This creates a persistent cross-site scripting vector where malicious payloads can be stored in the database and subsequently rendered in the browser of any user who accesses the affected pages. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to escape output, specifically in the context of web application security where user input is not properly sanitized before being displayed. The flaw enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further exploitation of the compromised WordPress installation. The security implications extend beyond simple script injection because the vulnerability specifically targets administrative interfaces, meaning that successful exploitation could provide attackers with complete control over the WordPress site's team member management functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress administrators who rely on the Team Members plugin for managing organizational structures and team member information. Attackers with administrative access can leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that persist across user sessions, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of team member information, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's persistence means that once exploited, the malicious code continues to execute each time affected pages are loaded, creating a long-term security risk. The attack surface is particularly broad since the vulnerability affects the plugin's administrative settings, which are typically accessed by trusted users with elevated privileges. This creates a scenario where a single compromised administrative account could enable widespread exploitation across the WordPress installation. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Scripting, specifically targeting the execution of malicious scripts within web browsers. The ability to execute code in the context of high-privilege users makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be used to escalate privileges or maintain persistent access to the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1568 focus primarily on updating to the patched version of the Team Members plugin, specifically version 5.1.1 or later, which implements proper output escaping mechanisms for team settings data. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized modifications to plugin files, and maintaining up-to-date WordPress core installations with security patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly within administrative interfaces where user input is processed and displayed. Organizations should consider implementing content security policies to add additional layers of protection against script execution, though these measures are secondary to the primary requirement of updating the vulnerable plugin. Security monitoring should include checks for unusual modifications to team member data and unexpected script injections within the plugin's administrative areas. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for developers to follow secure coding practices, including proper sanitization of user input and escaping of output data, as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and the CWE guidelines for preventing cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments of third-party plugins and adherence to WordPress security best practices remain essential defensive measures against similar vulnerabilities.