CVE-2022-1695 in WP Simple Adsense Insertion Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/08/2022
The WP Simple Adsense Insertion WordPress plugin before 2.1 does not perform CSRF checks on updates to its admin page, allowing an attacker to trick a logged in user to manipulate ads and inject arbitrary javascript via submitting a form.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1695 affects the WP Simple Adsense Insertion WordPress plugin version 2.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress administrative interfaces. This issue stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms within its admin update functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit authenticated user sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's administrative settings page where users can configure ad insertion parameters and manage advertising content.
The technical flaw manifests through the absence of CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms when processing form submissions on the plugin's admin interface. When a logged-in administrator visits a malicious webpage or receives a crafted email with embedded links, an attacker can construct a malicious request that appears to originate from the legitimate admin session. This allows unauthorized modification of advertising configurations, including the insertion of arbitrary javascript code that executes within the context of the administrator's browser session. The vulnerability operates under the principle that authenticated users are trusted without proper verification of the request source, violating fundamental security principles of web application design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as it enables persistent malicious activities within the targeted WordPress environment. Attackers can inject javascript payloads that may redirect users to malicious sites, harvest sensitive cookies, or even establish backdoor access to the compromised site. The injected code executes with the privileges of the logged-in administrator, potentially leading to complete site compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of additional malware. This vulnerability particularly affects websites that rely heavily on advertising revenue, as attackers can manipulate ad placements to generate fraudulent clicks or redirect traffic to malicious destinations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1695 involve immediate plugin updates to version 2.1 or later, which implements proper CSRF protection mechanisms. System administrators should also enforce additional security measures including regular security audits, implementation of web application firewalls, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which categorizes Cross-Site Request Forgery as a fundamental web application security weakness, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for the execution of malicious code through web interfaces. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations, review plugin permissions, and implement multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of exploitation. Regular patch management processes become critical in preventing such vulnerabilities from being exploited in the wild, as the attack surface remains significant for any WordPress site running vulnerable plugin versions.