CVE-2022-1885 in Cimy Header Image Rotator Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2022
The Cimy Header Image Rotator WordPress plugin through 6.1.1 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
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2022
The CVE-2022-1885 vulnerability affects the Cimy Header Image Rotator WordPress plugin version 6.1.1 and earlier, presenting a critical cross-site request forgery weakness that undermines the security of WordPress administrative interfaces. This flaw resides in the plugin's failure to implement proper CSRF protection mechanisms when processing configuration updates, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit authenticated administrative sessions. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's settings update functionality, where attackers can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress admin interface, thereby enabling unauthorized modifications to the plugin's configuration parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of anti-CSRF tokens or validation mechanisms within the plugin's administrative update endpoints. When administrators access the plugin settings page and submit changes, the system should verify that the request originates from a legitimate administrative session rather than being triggered by an external malicious actor. Without proper CSRF protection, the plugin accepts update requests regardless of their source, making it susceptible to attacks where an attacker lures a logged-in administrator to visit a malicious webpage containing embedded requests that modify the plugin settings. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a critical failure in the plugin's input validation and session management protocols.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1885 extends beyond simple configuration changes, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate the header image rotation functionality in ways that could compromise website integrity and user experience. An attacker could modify image rotation parameters to display inappropriate content, redirect users to malicious domains, or disable critical header functionality entirely. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the affected plugin remains installed and the administrator's session remains valid, potentially allowing for extended periods of unauthorized access and configuration manipulation. This weakness particularly impacts websites relying on visual header management for branding and user navigation, where header image rotation serves as a core component of site presentation and user engagement.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF vulnerability, which aligns with the principle of maintaining current security patches as recommended by the OWASP Top Ten. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of implementing comprehensive CSRF protection mechanisms, particularly for administrative interfaces that handle sensitive configuration data. Security teams should also consider implementing additional monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes and ensure that all WordPress plugins undergo regular security assessments to identify similar gaps in authentication and authorization controls. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how seemingly minor implementation oversights can create significant security risks, emphasizing the need for robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle and adherence to standards such as those outlined in the CWE catalog for CSRF protection mechanisms.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend to WordPress security ecosystems, where plugin developers must prioritize secure coding practices and implement proper CSRF protection for all administrative functions. This flaw exemplifies the ATT&CK framework's concept of privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities, where attackers leverage authenticated sessions to perform unauthorized actions. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations, particularly focusing on plugin security configurations and the implementation of proper session management controls. The vulnerability also highlights the critical need for regular security assessments and the importance of maintaining updated security measures to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in third-party components.