CVE-2022-1792 in Quick Subscribe Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2022
The Quick Subscribe WordPress plugin through 1.7.1 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 leading to Stored XSS due to the lack of sanitisation and escaping in some of them
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2022
The Quick Subscribe WordPress plugin version 1.7.1 contains a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2022-1792 that stems from the absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery protection mechanisms within its administrative settings update functionality. This vulnerability represents a significant weakness in the plugin's security architecture as it fails to implement proper CSRF token validation when processing administrative configuration changes. The flaw exists specifically within the plugin's admin interface where users with administrative privileges can modify plugin settings, yet the system does not verify the authenticity of requests originating from legitimate administrative sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to craft malicious web pages or emails containing specially crafted requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, will modify the plugin's configuration settings without proper authorization. This lack of CSRF protection creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can manipulate the administrative interface to inject malicious content into the plugin's settings. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because the plugin does not properly sanitize or escape user input values when storing these settings, creating a direct pathway for persistent cross-site scripting attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1792 extends beyond simple configuration changes as it enables attackers to establish persistent malicious presence within the WordPress environment. When administrators modify plugin settings through the vulnerable interface, the malicious code becomes permanently stored within the plugin's configuration parameters. This stored XSS vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of the administrator's browser session, potentially enabling full administrative compromise of the WordPress site. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications.
Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various delivery mechanisms including phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering campaigns that trick administrators into visiting malicious pages. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the stored XSS payload can execute commands within the browser context. Additionally, this weakness maps to T1546.001 for Event Triggering, since the malicious code executes automatically when the affected page is loaded by the administrator. The vulnerability also falls under T1071.001 for Application Layer Protocol, as it exploits HTTP protocol interactions to manipulate web application state.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the Quick Subscribe plugin where the CSRF protection has been restored, implementing additional security measures such as Content Security Policy headers, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. The recommended remediation strategy involves enabling proper CSRF token validation throughout the administrative interfaces, implementing comprehensive input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms, and establishing regular security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious administrative activity patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.