CVE-2022-1977 in Import Export All WordPress Images, Users & Post Types Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/27/2022
The Import Export All WordPress Images, Users & Post Types WordPress plugin before 6.5.3 does not fully validate the file to be imported via an URL before making an HTTP request to it, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Blind SSRF attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1977 affects the Import Export All WordPress Images, Users & Post Types WordPress plugin version 6.5.2 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized blind server-side request forgery attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's import functionality, which accepts URLs for file imports without adequate validation mechanisms. The flaw allows high-privilege users, particularly administrators, to manipulate the import process by providing malicious URLs that can trigger unintended HTTP requests from the WordPress server to internal or external systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation of remote URLs within the plugin's import workflow, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the system's trust in legitimate network communications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of remote file imports where it directly uses user-provided URLs without proper validation or sanitization before establishing HTTP connections. When administrators or other privileged users initiate an import operation using a URL, the plugin makes HTTP requests to that address without verifying the destination's legitimacy or ensuring it conforms to expected parameters. This behavior creates a blind SSRF (Server-Side Request Forgery) condition where attackers can force the WordPress server to make requests to arbitrary destinations, potentially including internal network services that should not be directly accessible from the internet. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only administrative privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who already have significant control over the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1977 extends beyond simple data exfiltration or service disruption, as it can enable attackers to perform reconnaissance activities against internal network infrastructure. By leveraging the blind SSRF capability, threat actors can map internal services, identify vulnerable systems, and potentially escalate their attack surface to include other internal resources that are normally protected by network segmentation. The vulnerability can be exploited to access internal services that may not be properly secured, potentially leading to further compromise of the WordPress installation or adjacent systems. This risk is amplified because the attack is blind in nature, meaning that the attacker cannot directly observe responses from the internal services, but can still infer information based on timing variations or other indirect indicators of successful requests.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-provided URLs within the import functionality. The plugin developers should enforce strict validation of URLs to ensure they conform to expected formats and do not point to internal network addresses or unauthorized destinations. Organizations should immediately update to version 6.5.3 or later of the plugin to address this vulnerability, while also implementing network-level restrictions such as firewalls or proxy configurations to prevent outbound connections to internal network segments. Additionally, administrators should monitor their WordPress installations for unauthorized import activities and implement principle of least privilege for user accounts with import capabilities, ensuring that only trusted personnel have access to these functions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-918, which specifically addresses Server-Side Request Forgery, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers Proxying through external systems, highlighting the network-based attack vector and potential for lateral movement within compromised environments.