CVE-2022-1576 in WP Maintenance Mode & Coming Soon Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/11/2022
The WP Maintenance Mode & Coming Soon WordPress plugin before 2.4.5 is lacking CSRF when emptying the subscribed users list, which could allow attackers to make a logged in admin perform such action via a CSRF attack
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1576 affects the WP Maintenance Mode & Coming Soon WordPress plugin version 2.4.4 and earlier, presenting a critical security weakness that stems from insufficient cross-site request forgery protection mechanisms. This flaw specifically manifests when administrators attempt to empty the subscribed users list, a functionality that should require explicit user consent and validation. The absence of proper CSRF protection creates an exploitable condition where malicious actors can craft deceptive web pages or emails that, when visited by an authenticated administrator, automatically trigger the unwanted action of clearing the subscriber database without the user's knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's lack of anti-CSRF tokens within the relevant administrative interface. When administrators navigate to the subscribed users management section, the plugin fails to validate that requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions rather than maliciously crafted requests. This weakness directly maps to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery as a vulnerability that allows an attacker to induce users to perform actions they did not intend to perform. The flaw operates by leveraging the administrator's existing authenticated session, making it particularly dangerous since no additional authentication is required for the attack to succeed.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within the WordPress ecosystem. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could systematically remove subscriber lists, potentially disrupting email marketing campaigns, compromising user data integrity, or even creating conditions for further attacks. The cleared subscriber data represents a valuable resource for attackers who might seek to rebuild user databases through social engineering or other means. Additionally, the vulnerability affects the plugin's administrative interface, potentially providing attackers with insights into the site's user engagement patterns and subscriber base characteristics.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1190 for exploitation of remote services and T1078 for valid accounts usage. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where WordPress administrators have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data repositories. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to version 2.4.5 or later, as this represents the first release that addresses the CSRF validation gap. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious administrative requests, conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins, and establishing strict access controls that limit administrative capabilities to trusted users only.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of CSRF protection in modern web applications, particularly those handling user data and administrative functions. WordPress plugin developers must implement comprehensive security measures including proper token validation, request origin verification, and session management controls to prevent similar issues. Organizations should also consider implementing security awareness training for administrators to recognize potentially malicious web content and maintain regular inventory of installed plugins to ensure all components are updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability serves as a reminder that even seemingly minor administrative functions can present significant security risks when proper validation mechanisms are absent, emphasizing the need for defense-in-depth strategies that protect against both known and emerging threats in the WordPress ecosystem.