CVE-2022-1612 in Webriti SMTP Mail Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2022
The Webriti SMTP Mail WordPress plugin through 1.0 does not have CSRF check in place when updating its settings, which could allow attackers to make a logged in admin change them via a CSRF attack
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The CVE-2022-1612 vulnerability affects the Webriti SMTP Mail WordPress plugin version 1.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of administrative configurations. This vulnerability stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms within the plugin's administrative settings update functionality. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's ability to process configuration changes without validating the authenticity of the request source, creating a significant attack vector for malicious actors who can manipulate administrative settings through crafted requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's failure to incorporate proper CSRF token validation during the settings update process. When an administrator accesses the plugin's configuration interface, the system should verify that the request originates from a legitimate administrative session rather than being submitted through a maliciously crafted link or form. Without this validation, attackers can construct malicious web pages or emails containing hidden forms that automatically submit configuration changes when an administrator visits the page, assuming they are logged into the WordPress admin interface. This represents a classic CSRF attack pattern where the attacker exploits the administrator's existing authenticated session to perform unauthorized actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to gain unauthorized control over email configuration settings within WordPress installations. An attacker could modify SMTP server settings to redirect all outgoing emails through malicious servers, potentially enabling spam campaigns, credential harvesting, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks where attackers might modify email authentication settings to bypass security controls or establish persistent backdoors through email-based communication channels. Additionally, the compromised email configuration could be used to facilitate further attacks such as phishing campaigns or social engineering operations that rely on legitimate email infrastructure.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.002, which covers the use of malicious email attachments and links to gain initial access or execute malicious code. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version if available, implementing proper CSRF protection mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual configuration changes in email settings, and administrators should be trained to recognize and avoid potentially malicious links or content that might trigger CSRF attacks. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of validating all administrative actions through proper authentication and authorization mechanisms, particularly in web-based content management systems where plugins extend core functionality with potential security implications.