CVE-2022-1829 in Inline Google Maps Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2022
The Inline Google Maps WordPress plugin through 5.11 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 Cross-Site Scripting due to the lack of sanitisation and escaping
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1829 affects the Inline Google Maps WordPress plugin version 5.11 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that combines multiple dangerous weaknesses. This issue stems from the absence of proper Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) protection mechanisms within the plugin's administrative settings update functionality, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate plugin configurations without proper authorization. The vulnerability exists specifically within the WordPress plugin ecosystem where administrative privileges are assumed to be properly validated during configuration changes.
The technical flaw manifests through the lack of CSRF tokens in the plugin's settings update process, which allows malicious actors to craft specially designed requests that can be executed when an authenticated administrator visits a compromised website. This absence of CSRF protection means that an attacker can trick a logged-in administrator into making unauthorized changes to the plugin's configuration through a social engineering attack or by embedding malicious code in a compromised website. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the administrative interface level where sensitive configuration changes can significantly impact the entire website's security posture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes, as the lack of proper sanitization and escaping mechanisms creates an environment conducive to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks. When administrators modify plugin settings without adequate input validation, malicious scripts can be stored within the plugin's configuration parameters and subsequently executed whenever the affected pages are loaded. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that can steal administrator credentials, deface the website, or redirect users to malicious sites. The combination of CSRF exploitation and stored XSS creates a particularly dangerous attack scenario that can compromise the entire WordPress installation.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery issues, and CWE-79, which covers Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities. The attack pattern follows typical ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence through web application exploitation. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of the Inline Google Maps plugin to version 5.12 or later, which includes the necessary CSRF protection mechanisms and input sanitization measures. Additionally, administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual administrative activity and consider implementing Content Security Policies to mitigate potential XSS impact if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and CSRF protection in web applications, particularly those with administrative interfaces where configuration changes can have widespread security implications across the entire platform.