CVE-2022-1896 in underConstruction Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2022
The underConstruction WordPress plugin before 1.21 does not sanitise or escape the "Display a custom page using your own HTML" setting before outputting it, allowing high privilege users to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiletred_html capability is disallowed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
The CVE-2022-1896 vulnerability resides within the underConstruction WordPress plugin version 1.20 and earlier, presenting a critical cross-site scripting risk that undermines the security model of WordPress installations. This flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user-supplied HTML content within its configuration settings, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into the plugin's administrative interface. The vulnerability represents a significant bypass of WordPress's core security mechanisms, as it allows attackers with high privilege levels to execute XSS attacks despite the system's restrictions on HTML content filtering.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize or escape user input when rendering the "Display a custom page using your own HTML" setting. This oversight occurs during the output phase of the plugin's functionality, where unfiltered HTML content is directly rendered without appropriate security measures. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's assumption that user input is safe, failing to implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms that are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks. According to CWE-79, this vulnerability directly maps to Cross-Site Scripting due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1896 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute malicious code within the context of privileged user sessions. High privilege users, including administrators and editors who possess the necessary capabilities to modify plugin settings, become potential targets for this attack vector. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, modifying content, redirecting users to malicious sites, or even gaining complete control over the WordPress installation. The attack can be particularly devastating in multi-user environments where administrators are the primary targets for such exploitation attempts.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with ATT&CK technique T1566, which covers social engineering tactics including the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities. Attackers can leverage this XSS flaw to establish persistent access to WordPress administrative interfaces, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability also intersects with ATT&CK technique T1059, which encompasses command and control through application layer protocols, as malicious scripts can be used to establish communication channels with attacker-controlled servers. Organizations using the underConstruction plugin in versions prior to 1.21 face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers who have gained access to any user account with sufficient permissions to modify plugin settings.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1896 primarily involve immediate patching of the underConstruction plugin to version 1.21 or later, which implements proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting user permissions to only those necessary for their roles, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while maintaining updated security frameworks and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide additional protection against XSS attacks targeting their WordPress installations.