CVE-2022-1760 in Core Control Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2024
The Core Control WordPress plugin through 1.2.1 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
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2025
The CVE-2022-1760 vulnerability affects the Core Control WordPress plugin version 1.2.1 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of administrative operations within WordPress environments. This vulnerability stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms in the plugin's settings update functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit authenticated administrator sessions. The issue is particularly concerning because it directly targets the administrative interface of WordPress, where privileged actions can have far-reaching consequences for entire websites and their underlying infrastructure.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing CSRF token validation within the plugin's administrative settings update process. When administrators access the plugin's configuration interface, the system fails to verify that requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions rather than forged requests crafted by attackers. This absence of token-based authentication allows threat actors to construct malicious web pages or email attachments that, when visited by an authenticated administrator, automatically submit unauthorized configuration changes to the Core Control plugin. The vulnerability operates through the standard HTTP request mechanism where the attacker crafts a request that appears to come from the legitimate admin user's browser, bypassing the normal security checks that should validate the authenticity of administrative actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as the Core Control plugin typically provides access to core WordPress functionality and system-level settings. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could potentially modify critical plugin configurations, disable security features, or even establish persistent access points within the WordPress environment. The implications are particularly severe in multi-user environments where administrators may be logged in for extended periods, increasing the window of opportunity for exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially enabling privilege escalation or further compromise of the WordPress installation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the patched version of the Core Control plugin, which addresses the missing CSRF protection. System administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes and ensuring that administrative sessions are properly secured through session management practices. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege and secure authentication practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as it enables attackers to operate under legitimate administrative credentials without requiring additional authentication.
The remediation process should include thorough patch management procedures to ensure all instances of the vulnerable plugin are updated across the organization's WordPress installations. Security teams should also conduct vulnerability assessments to identify other plugins that may exhibit similar CSRF vulnerabilities, as this represents a common security oversight in WordPress plugin development. Organizations should implement network monitoring to detect anomalous administrative activity patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to address CSRF-related security incidents. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors in the broader threat landscape.