CVE-2022-2541 in uContext for Amazon Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2022
The uContext for Amazon plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery to Cross-Site Scripting in versions up to, and including 3.9.1. This is due to missing nonce validation in the ~/app/sites/ajax/actions/keyword_save.php file that is called via the doAjax() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to modify the plugin's settings and inject malicious web scripts via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The uContext for Amazon plugin for WordPress represents a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2022-2541, which demonstrates a critical weakness in the plugin's handling of cross-site request forgery and cross-site scripting attacks. This vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.9.1, creating a dangerous attack surface that allows unauthenticated adversaries to manipulate plugin settings and inject malicious scripts. The flaw specifically resides in the ~/app/sites/ajax/actions/keyword_save.php file where the doAjax() function executes without proper nonce validation, fundamentally undermining the security controls that should protect against unauthorized modifications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of cryptographic nonce validation within the ajax endpoint that processes keyword saving operations. In WordPress security architecture, nonces serve as time-based tokens that verify the authenticity of requests and prevent CSRF attacks by ensuring that actions originate from legitimate sources. The lack of nonce verification in this particular file creates a pathway for attackers to construct malicious requests that appear to be legitimate administrative actions. This flaw directly maps to CWE-352, which defines Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities, and represents a failure in the principle of least privilege by allowing unauthenticated users to perform administrative functions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass full administrative compromise of affected WordPress installations. An attacker can leverage this weakness to modify plugin configurations, potentially redirecting users to malicious sites or injecting persistent XSS payloads that execute in the context of administrator sessions. The attack requires only social engineering to trick administrators into clicking malicious links, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators frequently interact with external content or links. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002, which describes exploiting application permissions to gain elevated privileges, and T1566.001, which covers spearphishing attacks through links.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2541 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most critical immediate action involves updating the uContext for Amazon plugin to version 3.9.2 or later, where the nonce validation has been properly implemented. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of plugin installations, monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes, and maintaining up-to-date security plugins that can detect and prevent similar vulnerabilities. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense in depth, while user education regarding phishing awareness remains crucial in preventing social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability. The incident highlights the importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly those handling administrative functions, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.