CVE-2022-2039 in Free Live Chat Support Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2022
The Free Live Chat Support plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including 1.0.11. This is due to missing nonce protection on the livesupporti_settings() function found in the ~/livesupporti.php file. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts into the page, granted they can trick a site's administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2039 affects the Free Live Chat Support plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 1.0.11. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations relying on this plugin. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient protection mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system's trust model. The affected plugin operates within the WordPress ecosystem where user authentication and authorization controls are paramount for maintaining system security and preventing unauthorized modifications to website configurations.
The technical flaw manifests in the livesupporti_settings() function located within the ~/livesupporti.php file where nonce protection has been omitted. This absence of cryptographic token verification creates a persistent cross-site request forgery vulnerability that allows attackers to execute unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability operates under the principle that legitimate administrative requests can be forged by malicious actors who manipulate the victim's browser into submitting requests without their knowledge or consent. This flaw directly maps to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery as a weakness where a web application fails to validate that requests originate from legitimate sources, enabling attackers to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection capabilities, as it provides attackers with the potential to execute arbitrary code within the context of the administrator's session. When an administrator clicks on a malicious link or visits a compromised webpage, the forged requests can modify plugin settings, inject malicious scripts, or potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. This creates a significant risk for website owners as the attack requires only social engineering to succeed, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse untrusted websites or receive suspicious emails. The vulnerability essentially transforms any administrator into an unwitting participant in malicious activities, compromising the entire WordPress installation's security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2039 must prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that implement proper nonce validation and input sanitization. System administrators should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns associated with CSRF attacks. The implementation of additional security measures including content security policies, strict header configurations, and regular security audits can provide layered protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about social engineering tactics that exploit CSRF vulnerabilities, as the attack vector relies heavily on tricking users into performing malicious actions. Security monitoring should include detection of unauthorized configuration changes and anomalous administrative activities that may indicate successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security controls to prevent unauthorized access and maintain the integrity of web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1566 technique for social engineering, highlighting the human factor component that makes CSRF attacks particularly effective in real-world scenarios.