CVE-2022-1904 in Pricing Tables Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2022
The Pricing Tables WordPress Plugin WordPress plugin before 3.2.1 does not sanitise and escape parameter before outputting it back in a page available to any user (both authenticated and unauthenticated) when a specific setting is enabled, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1904 affects the Pricing Tables WordPress plugin version 3.2.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that exposes users to reflected cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user-supplied parameters that are not properly sanitized or escaped before being rendered back to users in web pages. The flaw specifically manifests when a particular setting within the plugin is enabled, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the plugin's output. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script is executed in the victim's browser when they access a specially crafted URL containing the malicious payload, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered through various vectors including email links, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When the plugin processes user input through specific parameters and displays this data without proper sanitization, it creates an environment where malicious scripts can be executed in the context of the victim's browser session. This behavior aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities where untrusted data is directly included in web pages without proper validation or escaping. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can potentially allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect victims to malicious websites. The fact that this vulnerability affects both authenticated and unauthenticated users makes it particularly concerning as it can be exploited against any visitor to a website running the vulnerable plugin version.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1904 is significant for WordPress website administrators and their users, as it provides attackers with a straightforward method to compromise user sessions and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The vulnerability's accessibility through standard web browsing means that exploitation can occur without requiring any special privileges or advanced technical knowledge from the attacker. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users may visit compromised websites or receive malicious emails containing links to exploit the vulnerability. The reflected nature of the attack means that the malicious code does not need to be stored on the server, making detection and prevention more challenging for security administrators. Organizations running vulnerable versions of the Pricing Tables plugin face potential data breaches, session hijacking, and other malicious activities that could compromise the integrity and confidentiality of their users' information.
The recommended mitigation for CVE-2022-1904 involves immediate upgrading of the Pricing Tables WordPress plugin to version 3.2.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the sanitization and escaping issues. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring web server logs for suspicious activity, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-79 and its potential alignment with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for phishing with malicious attachments or links highlight the importance of comprehensive security practices beyond just patch management. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious requests, and establish incident response procedures to quickly address any exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and keeping all WordPress core files and plugins updated remain critical practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, as this type of flaw represents a common attack vector that continues to be exploited in various web applications.