CVE-2022-1985 in Download Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2022
The Download Manager Plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to reflected Cross-Site Scripting in versions up to, and including 3.2.42. This is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on the 'frameid' parameter found in the ~/src/Package/views/shortcode-iframe.php file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1985 affects the Download Manager Plugin for WordPress, a widely used component for managing file downloads on wordpress websites. This particular flaw represents a classic reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that has significant implications for website security and user safety. The vulnerability exists within the plugin's handling of user input parameters, specifically targeting the 'frameid' parameter that is processed in the ~/src/Package/views/shortcode-iframe.php file. This represents a critical security weakness that could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When the 'frameid' parameter is processed, the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into the web page output. This allows an attacker to inject malicious javascript code through the parameter, which gets executed when other users view the affected page. The vulnerability is classified as reflected XSS because the malicious payload is reflected back to the user through the web application's response, making it particularly dangerous as it can be delivered via various attack vectors including malicious links, email attachments, or compromised website content. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines the weakness of insufficient output escaping or sanitization of user-supplied data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. Attackers could craft malicious URLs that, when clicked by unsuspecting users, would execute scripts to steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malicious content into the targeted website. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.2.42, meaning that a substantial number of users who have not updated their plugins remain exposed to this risk. Website administrators and security professionals must understand that this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring any special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently click on links from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the XSS flaw. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures and ensure that all user-supplied parameters are properly escaped before being rendered in web page output. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit the potential impact of successful XSS attacks. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other plugins or components within the wordpress ecosystem. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values that may indicate attempted XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper security coding practices to prevent reflected XSS vulnerabilities in web applications.