CVE-2022-1597 in WPQA Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2022
The WPQA Builder WordPress plugin before 5.4, used as a companion for the Discy and Himer , does not sanitise and escape a parameter on its reset password form which makes it possible to perform Reflected Cross-Site Scripting attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2022
The WPQA Builder WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-1597 represents a critical security flaw that affects versions prior to 5.4 and is specifically designed to work with the Discy and Himer themes. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's password reset functionality where user input parameters are not properly sanitised or escaped before being processed and returned to the user's browser. The issue creates a reflected cross-site scripting attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and escape user-supplied input in the password reset form. When users submit requests through the reset form, the plugin processes parameters without adequate sanitisation measures, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads that are then reflected back to the user's browser. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The reflected nature of this attack means that the malicious script is executed immediately when the victim clicks on a specially crafted link or visits a malicious page that triggers the vulnerable endpoint.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1597 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with potential access to user sessions and sensitive information. When successful, reflected XSS attacks can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, and unauthorized access to user accounts within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal authentication cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious content that persists during the user's browsing session. This vulnerability particularly affects users of the Discy and Himer themes since those themes rely on the WPQA Builder plugin for their question and answer functionality, creating a specific attack surface for users of these particular WordPress setups.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which involves the use of unsecured credentials, and T1566 which encompasses social engineering attacks that can be facilitated through XSS vectors. The attack chain typically begins with an attacker crafting a malicious URL containing XSS payloads, which when clicked by an authenticated user, executes the script in their browser context. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction and can be automated through phishing campaigns or compromised websites that redirect users to malicious pages containing the exploit. Organizations using the affected plugin versions face significant risk as this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication or advanced technical skills.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to WPQA Builder version 5.4 or later where the sanitization and escaping mechanisms have been properly implemented to prevent reflected XSS attacks. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as content security policies that restrict script execution and monitor for suspicious user activity. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other WordPress plugins and themes. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly in authentication-related functionality where user input directly impacts security controls. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this and similar vulnerabilities.