CVE-2022-2184 in CAPTCHA 4WP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
The CAPTCHA 4WP WordPress plugin before 7.1.0 lets user input reach a sensitive require_once call in one of its admin-side templates. This can be abused by attackers, via a Cross-Site Request Forgery attack to run arbitrary code on the server.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2184 affects the CAPTCHA 4WP WordPress plugin version 7.1.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk that stems from improper input validation within the plugin's administrative interface. This flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate user input that eventually reaches a sensitive require_once function call within one of the plugin's admin-side templates. The vulnerability creates a path for arbitrary code execution on the affected server, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a cross-site request forgery attack vector that exploits the plugin's handling of user-supplied data within administrative contexts. When user input is not properly sanitized or validated before being processed by the require_once statement, attackers can inject malicious code that gets executed within the server's PHP environment. This represents a classic path traversal and code execution vulnerability where the plugin's template system fails to properly escape or validate input parameters that are subsequently used in critical system calls.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability has severe implications for WordPress site administrators who depend on CAPTCHA 4WP for protecting their sites from automated attacks. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely means that attackers can potentially gain full control over compromised servers, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or use the compromised systems for further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages a legitimate administrative feature to bypass security controls, making detection more difficult and the attack more effective.
The flaw aligns with CWE-74 and CWE-94 categories, representing code injection vulnerabilities that allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands through manipulated input. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, and T1566 for phishing, as it enables attackers to leverage the plugin's legitimate functionality for malicious purposes. The attack chain typically begins with an attacker crafting a malicious request that appears legitimate to the WordPress admin interface, exploiting the trust relationship between the plugin and user input.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2184 primarily involve immediate plugin updates to version 7.1.0 or later, which contain the necessary patches to prevent user input from reaching the vulnerable require_once call. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation and sanitization measures, restrict administrative access through additional security layers, and monitor for suspicious activity in their WordPress installations. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can also help detect and block malicious requests attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while regular security audits should verify that no unauthorized modifications have occurred in the plugin files or associated server configurations.