CVE-2022-2763 in WP Socializer Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/03/2022
The WP Socializer WordPress plugin before 7.3 does not sanitise and escape some of its Icons settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/29/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2763 affects the WP Socializer WordPress plugin version 7.2 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines web application security. This issue specifically targets the plugin's handling of Icons settings where insufficient sanitization and escaping mechanisms leave the system vulnerable to malicious code injection. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects high-privilege users including administrators who can leverage this vulnerability even in environments where the unfiltered_html capability has been restricted, such as in multisite WordPress installations. The vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's settings that will execute whenever the affected page is loaded, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to full system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the WP Socializer plugin's administrative interface. When administrators configure social icons through the plugin settings, the input values are not properly sanitized before being stored in the database and subsequently rendered on web pages. This failure to implement proper output escaping creates a classic stored XSS vulnerability where malicious scripts can be persisted in the application's data store and executed against unsuspecting users. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as a stored cross-site scripting attack that can be exploited by users with administrative privileges. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can bypass WordPress's built-in security measures that typically restrict unfiltered HTML content, especially in multisite configurations where such restrictions are commonly enforced to maintain security boundaries between different sites within the same installation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-2763 extends beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal sensitive information, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. In a multisite setup where administrators might have elevated permissions but are still restricted from using unfiltered HTML, this vulnerability provides a bypass mechanism that allows malicious actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of other users' browsers. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious payloads persist indefinitely until manually removed from the plugin settings, creating a long-term threat that can affect multiple users over time. Attackers can craft sophisticated payloads that harvest cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or inject additional malware, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where WordPress is used for business-critical applications. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code and potentially establish persistent access to the compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2763 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 7.3 or later, which contains the necessary sanitization and escaping fixes. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of plugin configurations, monitoring for unauthorized changes to plugin settings, and implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script patterns. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and ensure that all WordPress installations are running patched versions of the WP Socializer plugin. The remediation process should include verifying that no malicious scripts have already been injected into the affected settings and conducting user session cleanup if any compromise is suspected. Security teams should also consider implementing privilege separation measures and limiting administrative access to only essential personnel, while maintaining detailed logs of all plugin configuration changes for forensic analysis purposes. Regular updates to all WordPress plugins and themes remain crucial for maintaining security posture, as this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create significant security risks in content management systems.