CVE-2022-2443 in FreeMind WP Browser Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/18/2022
The FreeMind WP Browser plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including 1.2. This is due to missing nonce protection on the FreemindOptions() function found in the ~/freemind-wp-browser.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 CVE-2022-2443 vulnerability affects the FreeMind WP Browser plugin for WordPress, representing a critical cross-site request forgery weakness that has persisted through versions up to and including 1.2. This vulnerability stems from the absence of proper nonce validation within the FreemindOptions() function located in the freemind-wp-browser.php file, creating a significant security gap that undermines the plugin's integrity and the broader WordPress installation's security posture.
The technical flaw manifests as a complete absence of nonce protection mechanisms within the plugin's administrative functions, specifically targeting the FreemindOptions() function. This function processes user input and configuration changes without validating the authenticity of the request source, allowing malicious actors to craft forged requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system. The vulnerability operates under the principle that administrators must be tricked into executing malicious actions through social engineering tactics, such as clicking on deceptive links or visiting compromised websites that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection capabilities, as it provides attackers with the means to manipulate the plugin's configuration and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive system parameters. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this weakness to inject malicious web scripts that persist on the target website, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that it requires no authentication to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently browse untrusted websites or are susceptible to phishing attacks.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) as a weakness where web applications fail to validate that requests originate from legitimate sources. The attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002, which involves social engineering through spearphishing with links, as the exploitation requires administrator interaction with malicious content. The lack of nonce validation represents a fundamental flaw in the plugin's security architecture, as it fails to implement proper request origin verification mechanisms that are standard practice in secure web application development.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate plugin updates to versions that implement proper nonce validation, which should be verified against the plugin's official release notes and security advisories. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as regular security audits, monitoring of plugin access logs, and implementation of web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns. Network-level protections should include restricting administrative access to trusted IP ranges and implementing multi-factor authentication for all administrative accounts to reduce the attack surface.
Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress installations, as the vulnerability may be present in multiple locations within a larger network infrastructure. Security teams should also implement automated patch management systems to ensure rapid deployment of security updates and maintain detailed incident response procedures specifically addressing CSRF vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and request origin verification in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions and user data modifications.