CVE-2022-1572 in HTML2WP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2022
The HTML2WP WordPress plugin through 1.0.0 does not have authorisation and CSRF checks in an AJAX action, available to any authenticated users such as subscriber, which could allow them to delete arbitrary file
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1572 affects the HTML2WP WordPress plugin version 1.0.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that undermines the plugin's access control mechanisms. This issue stems from the absence of proper authorization and cross-site request forgery protection within a specific AJAX action exposed by the plugin. The flaw allows any authenticated user account, regardless of role level including subscribers, to exploit this weakness and perform arbitrary file deletion operations on the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability represents a significant escalation risk as it transforms low-privilege user access into a potential vector for destructive actions against the web server filesystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's AJAX handling mechanism where it fails to validate user permissions before executing file deletion operations. According to CWE-352, this constitutes a Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability where the lack of proper authorization checks enables unauthorized actions. The absence of CSRF tokens and role-based access controls creates an exploitable condition where malicious users can craft requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system. This flaw operates at the application layer and specifically targets the file system operations within the WordPress environment, making it particularly dangerous for content management systems where file integrity is paramount.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss scenarios as it provides attackers with the capability to remove critical system files, plugin files, or theme components that could compromise the entire WordPress installation. Subscribers typically have minimal privileges within WordPress, but this vulnerability allows them to escalate their access to perform destructive operations that should normally be restricted to administrators or higher privileged roles. Attackers could potentially delete core WordPress files, plugin dependencies, or even the entire plugin directory, leading to complete system compromise or forced restoration of the platform. The exploitation requires no special privileges beyond basic authentication, making it particularly concerning for sites with open registration or compromised user accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1572 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization and CSRF vulnerabilities. System administrators should implement role-based access controls that limit subscriber capabilities and monitor for unauthorized file modifications. The implementation of additional security layers such as Web Application Firewalls and file integrity monitoring systems can provide defense-in-depth measures. According to ATT&CK framework category T1059, this vulnerability could enable command execution through file deletion attacks, while T1499 covers the potential for data destruction. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege, ensuring that user accounts have only the minimum permissions necessary for their intended functions, and regularly audit user roles and capabilities within WordPress installations to prevent similar authorization bypass vulnerabilities from being exploited.