CVE-2022-1604 in MailerLite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2022
The MailerLite WordPress plugin before 1.5.4 does not sanitise and escape a parameter before outputting it back in the page, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1604 affects the MailerLite WordPress plugin version 1.5.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes users to reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization practices within the plugin's codebase, specifically in how it handles user-provided parameters. The flaw allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions and user interactions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape a parameter before incorporating it into HTML output within the web page. This represents a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where user input flows directly into the application's output without proper validation or encoding. According to CWE-79, this falls under the category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically the reflected variant where malicious scripts are reflected off a web server to a victim's browser. The vulnerability operates by accepting untrusted input through HTTP parameters and directly embedding this data into the HTML response without appropriate sanitization measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1604 extends beyond simple data theft or session hijacking, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser session. This can result in unauthorized access to user accounts, data exfiltration, credential theft, and potential redirection to malicious websites. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers must craft specific payloads that will be executed when victims click on malicious links or visit compromised pages. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when combined with other attack vectors. The attack surface is broad as the vulnerability affects any WordPress installation using the vulnerable MailerLite plugin version, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation tools and botnets.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the MailerLite plugin to version 1.5.4 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization and escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads, and regular security scanning of WordPress installations to identify other vulnerable components. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure no regression issues affect existing functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for phishing attacks and demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles.