CVE-2022-1905 in Events Made Easy Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2022
The Events Made Easy WordPress plugin before 2.2.81 does not properly sanitise and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement via an AJAX action available to unauthenticated users, leading to a SQL injection
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2022
The Events Made Easy WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-1905 represents a critical SQL injection flaw that affects versions prior to 2.2.81. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user input through an AJAX endpoint that lacks proper sanitization and escaping mechanisms. The flaw allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL code into database queries, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation and underlying database infrastructure. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's AJAX action functionality, which is designed to handle dynamic content updates without requiring user authentication, creating an attack surface that can be exploited by anyone with access to the website.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's backend processing logic. When an AJAX request is made to the vulnerable endpoint, the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into SQL queries. This omission creates a classic SQL injection vector where malicious actors can manipulate database operations through crafted payloads. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-89 SQL Injection, which is one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws identified by the CWE database. The attack surface is particularly concerning because the affected AJAX endpoint does not require authentication, meaning that any visitor to the website can potentially exploit this flaw without needing valid credentials or privileged access.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1905 extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it provides attackers with extensive control over the compromised WordPress environment. Successful exploitation could enable attackers to extract sensitive information including user credentials, database schemas, and potentially full administrative access to the WordPress installation. The vulnerability may also allow for data corruption, unauthorized modifications to event listings, and even the execution of arbitrary code on the server. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol DNS, as attackers can leverage the exposed AJAX endpoint to conduct reconnaissance and establish persistent access. The vulnerability affects WordPress sites using the Events Made Easy plugin, which is widely deployed across various industries including event management, corporate communications, and community organizations, making the potential impact substantial.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1905 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 2.2.81 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization and escaping fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to AJAX endpoints where possible, and deploy web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Additional defensive measures include regular security audits of WordPress plugins, implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, and maintaining up-to-date security monitoring solutions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper parameter validation and the principle of least privilege in web application development, where all user inputs should be treated as potentially malicious and properly sanitized before database interaction. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all WordPress installations.