CVE-2022-2391 in Inspiro PRO Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2022
The Inspiro PRO WordPress plugin does not sanitize the portfolio slider description, allowing users with privileges as low as Contributor to inject JavaScript into the description.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2391 resides within the Inspiro PRO WordPress plugin, which represents a critical security flaw in the content management system's handling of user input. This issue specifically affects the portfolio slider functionality where descriptions are processed without proper sanitization measures, creating an avenue for cross-site scripting attacks. The flaw is particularly concerning because it permits users with minimal privileges, specifically those holding the Contributor role, to execute malicious code within the context of the WordPress administration interface.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's portfolio slider component. When users with Contributor privileges create or modify portfolio slider descriptions, the system fails to properly filter or escape potentially malicious JavaScript code that may be embedded within the description field. This lack of proper sanitization creates a persistent cross-site scripting vulnerability that can be exploited to execute arbitrary scripts in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a well-established category of web application security flaws.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions within the WordPress admin interface, or even compromise the entire WordPress installation. Since the Contributor role typically has limited capabilities within WordPress, this vulnerability allows attackers to bypass expected privilege boundaries and gain access to functionality that should be restricted to higher-privileged users. The attack surface is further expanded because the vulnerability affects content that is displayed in the admin dashboard, making it accessible to any user with contributor-level access.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables malicious JavaScript execution within the web application context. The risk is compounded by the fact that WordPress administrators may not immediately detect the presence of malicious code within portfolio slider descriptions, especially if the injected scripts are obfuscated or appear benign. The vulnerability also reflects poor secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper input validation, output encoding, and privilege-based access controls.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2391 should include immediate plugin updates from the vendor, which is the most effective solution as the vulnerability exists within the plugin's codebase. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as role-based access controls that limit contributor privileges to prevent unauthorized modifications to core functionality, and regular monitoring of content modifications within the portfolio slider component. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and input validation at multiple layers can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. The affected plugin version should be immediately upgraded to the patched release, and administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar sanitization issues.