CVE-2022-1906 in Copyright Proof Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
The Copyright Proof WordPress plugin through 4.16 does not sanitise and escape a parameter before outputting it back via an AJAX action available to both unauthenticated and authenticated users, leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting when a specific setting is enabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2022
The CVE-2022-1906 vulnerability affects the Copyright Proof WordPress plugin version 4.16 and earlier, representing a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that impacts both unauthenticated and authenticated users. This vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of user-controllable parameters within an AJAX action endpoint, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of affected websites. The flaw specifically manifests when a particular setting within the plugin is enabled, amplifying the attack surface and making the vulnerability exploitable under more relaxed conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters before incorporating them into output responses. When an attacker crafts a malicious payload and delivers it through a specially crafted URL parameter, the plugin processes this input without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerable AJAX action accepts user input and directly reflects it back to the browser without proper escaping mechanisms, allowing malicious scripts to execute in the victim's browser context. This represents a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where the malicious code is embedded in the request and reflected back to the user without proper output encoding.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1906 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to potentially steal user sessions, deface websites, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's accessibility to both unauthenticated and authenticated users significantly increases its exploitability, as attackers can target any visitor to the website without requiring prior access credentials. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the plugin is widely used or where administrators may not be aware of the specific setting that enables the vulnerability. The reflected nature of the attack means that the malicious payload must be delivered through a link or other vector that the victim clicks, but the ease of exploitation and broad impact make it a serious concern for WordPress site administrators.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1906 should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization and escaping deficiencies. Administrators should also implement proper input validation and output encoding measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-controllable parameters are properly sanitized before being processed or displayed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for the initial compromise through malicious links. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and other web application firewall rules can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potential vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input handling and output escaping in web applications.