CVE-2022-2180 in GREYD.SUITE Theme
Summary
by MITRE • 08/15/2022
The GREYD.SUITE WordPress theme does not properly validate uploaded custom font packages, and does not perform any authorization or csrf checks, allowing an unauthenticated attacker to upload arbitrary files including php source files, leading to possible remote code execution (RCE).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2022
The CVE-2022-2180 vulnerability resides within the GREYD.SUITE WordPress theme, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the theme's file upload functionality, creating an exploitable pathway for unauthorized attackers to compromise affected systems. The flaw specifically targets the theme's handling of custom font package uploads, where the system fails to implement proper validation checks that would normally prevent malicious file uploads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a complete absence of authorization controls and cross-site request forgery protections within the upload mechanism. This absence allows any unauthenticated user to access the file upload endpoint and submit arbitrary files without proper authentication or token verification. The lack of CSRF protection means that attackers can potentially leverage social engineering techniques or automated tools to trigger uploads without user interaction. The vulnerability's design flaw lies in the theme's failure to implement proper file type validation, content verification, and access control measures that are fundamental to secure file upload implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized file uploads, as it creates a direct pathway for remote code execution attacks. When attackers successfully upload PHP files through the vulnerable upload mechanism, they gain the ability to execute arbitrary code on the target server with the privileges of the web application. This represents a severe escalation from basic file upload capabilities to full system compromise, as the uploaded PHP files can contain malicious payloads that execute commands, establish backdoors, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete server takeover, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the WordPress environment.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a clear violation of several industry standards and best practices. The flaw directly corresponds to CWE-434, which addresses insecure file upload vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications. The absence of proper authorization checks and CSRF protections also reflects poor implementation of access control mechanisms, which should be classified under CWE-284 for improper access control. Organizations must implement immediate mitigations including disabling the vulnerable theme, applying patches if available, implementing proper file type validation, and adding authentication controls to upload endpoints. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and rate limiting should also be deployed to prevent exploitation attempts and monitor for suspicious upload activities.