CVE-2022-1765 in Hot Linked Image Cacher Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2022
The Hot Linked Image Cacher WordPress plugin through 1.16 is vulnerable to CSRF. This can be used to store / cache images from external domains on the server, which could lead to legal risks (due to copyright violations or licensing rules).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The Hot Linked Image Cacher WordPress plugin version 1.16 contains a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that exposes systems to unauthorized image caching operations from external domains. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-352 category of Cross-Site Request Forgery, where an attacker can manipulate authenticated users into performing unintended actions on a web application. The flaw specifically affects the plugin's image caching functionality, allowing malicious actors to leverage CSRF attacks to store and cache images from arbitrary external sources onto the target server's file system. The vulnerability represents a significant security risk because it enables unauthorized content ingestion without proper user consent or authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper CSRF protection mechanisms when processing image caching requests. When a user visits a malicious page or clicks on a crafted link, the attacker can trigger requests that appear to originate from the authenticated user's session. These requests instruct the plugin to fetch images from external domains and store them locally on the server, effectively bypassing normal access controls and authentication checks. The lack of anti-CSRF tokens or other session validation mechanisms in the affected plugin's request handling process creates an exploitable pathway for attackers to perform unauthorized image caching operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple technical exploitation to encompass significant legal and compliance risks for affected organizations. By enabling unauthorized image caching from external domains, the vulnerability creates potential copyright infringement scenarios where the server may inadvertently store and serve images that are protected by intellectual property rights. This risk is particularly concerning in environments where the cached images might be served publicly or integrated into web content without proper licensing or attribution. Organizations using the vulnerable plugin face potential legal exposure from copyright holders, licensing violations, and regulatory compliance issues that could result in financial penalties or legal action. The vulnerability also creates potential reputational damage as organizations may be associated with hosting or distributing copyrighted material without proper authorization.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF implementation flaws. System administrators should ensure that all WordPress installations using the Hot Linked Image Cacher plugin are updated to the latest available version that includes proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual image caching activities or unauthorized file modifications on servers. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and content filtering mechanisms can help prevent unauthorized image ingestion from external sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and session management in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for Exploit Public-Facing Application and highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party plugins in WordPress environments. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar CSRF vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom web applications that may pose similar risks to organizations.