CVE-2022-1758 in Genki Pre-Publish Reminder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2022
The Genki Pre-Publish Reminder WordPress plugin through 1.4.1 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 and lead to Stored XSS as well as RCE when custom code is added via the plugin settings.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The Genki Pre-Publish Reminder WordPress plugin version 1.4.1 contains a critical security vulnerability classified as a missing Cross-Site Request Forgery protection mechanism. This flaw exists within the plugin's administrative settings update functionality, where no anti-CSRF tokens are implemented to validate the authenticity of requests. The vulnerability represents a direct violation of web application security best practices and exposes WordPress installations to significant risks when the plugin is installed and active. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious web pages that, when visited by an authenticated administrator, automatically submit requests to modify plugin settings without the user's knowledge or consent.
The technical implementation flaw stems from the absence of proper request validation mechanisms within the plugin's backend processing. When administrators access the plugin settings page and submit changes, the system fails to verify that the request originated from a legitimate administrative session rather than a malicious third-party website. This missing validation creates an attack surface where CSRF tokens are not required to authenticate setting modifications, allowing unauthorized modifications to occur through social engineering or targeted attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's ability to validate request sources and maintain session integrity during administrative operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes to encompass severe security implications including Stored Cross-Site Scripting and Remote Code Execution capabilities. When attackers successfully modify plugin settings through CSRF attacks, they can inject malicious JavaScript code into the plugin's configuration fields. This stored XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of the victim's browser when administrators view the plugin settings, potentially stealing session cookies, performing unauthorized actions, or redirecting users to malicious sites. The combination with RCE potential occurs when custom code execution is enabled through the plugin's settings, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target server with the privileges of the web application.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications, and represents a classic case of insufficient anti-CSRF protection mechanisms. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to first exploit the web application's exposed interface and then potentially execute commands on the compromised system. The attack chain typically involves initial reconnaissance to identify the vulnerable plugin, crafting malicious payloads, and social engineering to get administrators to visit compromised pages, ultimately leading to full system compromise.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the latest version of the Genki Pre-Publish Reminder plugin where CSRF protections have been implemented, applying WordPress security hardening measures, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activity. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious CSRF requests, while endpoint security solutions should monitor for unusual code execution patterns. Regular security audits of installed WordPress plugins are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities, and administrators should implement strict access controls and multi-factor authentication to reduce the impact of potential successful attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and following the principle of least privilege when configuring plugin permissions.