CVE-2022-2370 in YaySMTP Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/01/2022
The YaySMTP WordPress plugin before 2.2.1 does not have capability check before displaying the Mailer Credentials in JS code for the settings, allowing any authenticated users, such as subscriber to retrieve them
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2370 affects the YaySMTP WordPress plugin version 2.2.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that undermines the plugin's access control mechanisms. This issue stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper capability checks when rendering mailer credentials within JavaScript code. The flaw allows any authenticated user account, regardless of role or permissions, to access sensitive configuration data that should be restricted to administrators or users with elevated privileges. The vulnerability exists specifically within the plugin's settings interface where credential information is exposed through client-side JavaScript execution, creating a direct pathway for unauthorized information disclosure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and privilege enforcement within WordPress plugin architecture. When authenticated users navigate to the plugin settings page, the JavaScript code responsible for displaying mailer credentials does not verify whether the current user possesses sufficient capabilities to view such sensitive information. This design flaw directly violates fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control enforcement. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through malicious web applications. The exposed credentials typically include SMTP server details, authentication tokens, and potentially sensitive connection parameters that could be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized access to email services or relay messages through compromised systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential attack vectors for broader security compromises within WordPress environments. Any user account, including low-privilege subscribers, could exploit this flaw to obtain mailer credentials and potentially use them to send spam emails, relay malicious content, or gain access to connected email services. The exposure of these credentials could enable attackers to perform email-based attacks such as phishing campaigns, spam distribution, or even use the compromised mailer to establish persistence within the target environment. Organizations running affected WordPress installations face significant risk of reputational damage, email service abuse, and potential regulatory violations if sensitive communication data becomes accessible to unauthorized parties. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment by leveraging the exposed credentials to access other systems or services that rely on the same authentication mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 2.2.1 or later, which includes proper capability checks and access controls. System administrators should implement additional monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to plugin settings and credential exposure. The WordPress security community recommends enabling two-factor authentication and role-based access controls to reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive audits of all installed plugins to identify similar access control flaws and ensure that proper capability checks are implemented for all sensitive data exposure scenarios. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual patterns in email traffic that might indicate credential misuse following exploitation of this vulnerability. The fix implemented in version 2.2.1 demonstrates the importance of proper authorization checks in web applications and serves as a critical reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing during plugin development and deployment processes.