CVE-2022-24664 in PHP Everywhere Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/16/2022
PHP Everywhere <= 2.0.3 included functionality that allowed execution of PHP Code Snippets via WordPress metaboxes, which could be used by any user able to edit posts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2022
This vulnerability represents a critical privilege escalation issue within the PHP Everywhere plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 2.0.3. The flaw stems from insufficient access controls and input validation mechanisms that permit unauthorized code execution through the WordPress administrative interface. Attackers with minimal privileges such as subscribers or contributors who can edit posts can leverage this vulnerability to inject and execute arbitrary PHP code within the web server context, effectively bypassing standard security boundaries that should protect against such malicious activities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exposes a dangerous lack of sanitization in the plugin's metabox functionality. When users with editing capabilities interact with specific WordPress admin interfaces, the plugin fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied PHP code snippets before processing them. This creates an environment where malicious actors can inject payload code that executes with the privileges of the web server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly violates security principle of least privilege, as it allows users to escalate their capabilities beyond what is typically permitted for their role within the WordPress ecosystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code injection, creating a potential pathway for persistent threat actor access and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can establish backdoors, deploy additional malware, or modify core application files to maintain long-term access. The vulnerability also enables lateral movement within networks where WordPress instances are deployed, as the compromised web server can serve as a pivot point for attacking other systems. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multi-tenant hosting environments where multiple WordPress installations share common infrastructure resources.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-94 which specifically addresses "Improper Control of Generation of Code" and ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell." The attack surface is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges beyond basic post editing capabilities, making it accessible to a broad range of threat actors including automated bots that scan for vulnerable WordPress installations. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including plugin updates to versions that address the vulnerability, disabling the problematic metabox functionality if updates are not immediately available, and implementing network monitoring to detect suspicious PHP execution patterns. Additionally, comprehensive access control reviews should be conducted to ensure that only authorized personnel have post editing privileges, as this vulnerability demonstrates how minimal administrative permissions can lead to complete system compromise.
The remediation approach must address both immediate protection and long-term security posture improvements. Plugin administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions that properly validate and sanitize user inputs before code execution occurs. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while comprehensive logging and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unauthorized code injection attempts. Security awareness training for content editors should emphasize the risks associated with editing capabilities in web applications, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign administrative functions can provide attackers with dangerous escalation paths. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious PHP code patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts against similar vulnerabilities across their WordPress infrastructure.