CVE-2022-25307 in WP Statistics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/24/2022
The WP Statistics WordPress plugin is vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting due to insufficient escaping and sanitization of the platform parameter found in the ~/includes/class-wp-statistics-hits.php file which allows attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts onto several pages that execute when site administrators view a sites statistics, in versions up to and including 13.1.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-25307 affects the WP Statistics WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions up to and including 13.1.5. This issue represents a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability that exploits insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. The vulnerability manifests in the ~/includes/class-wp-statistics-hits.php file where the platform parameter fails to undergo proper escaping procedures before being rendered in web pages. This weakness creates a persistent vector for malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts that execute in the context of administrator sessions, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to adequately sanitize user-supplied input through the platform parameter, which is processed without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate filtering. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as the improper handling of untrusted data within web applications. The vulnerability operates under the principle that user input should never be trusted and must always be validated, sanitized, and properly escaped before being incorporated into dynamic web content. When administrators access the statistics pages, the malicious scripts embedded in the platform parameter execute within their browser context, potentially enabling attackers to steal session cookies, modify content, or perform unauthorized actions with administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates a persistent backdoor for attackers to compromise WordPress installations. Since the vulnerability affects the statistics viewing functionality that administrators regularly access, it provides attackers with a reliable execution environment for their payloads. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between administrators and the plugin's reporting features, making the attack more likely to succeed compared to other XSS vectors that require more sophisticated social engineering. This vulnerability can be exploited to perform session hijacking, deface websites, or establish persistent access to the WordPress administration interface.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-25307 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective solution. Administrators should also implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout their WordPress installations, following the principle of least privilege and ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before processing. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and adhering to secure coding standards that prevent XSS attacks through proper input validation and output encoding. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security audits to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their web applications. This case study reinforces the ATT&CK framework's emphasis on initial access through web application vulnerabilities and highlights the critical need for defensive measures that protect against persistent threats targeting administrative interfaces.