CVE-2022-27858 in Activity Log Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/08/2022
CSV Injection vulnerability in Activity Log Team Activity Log <= 2.8.3 on WordPress.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2025
The CVE-2022-27858 vulnerability represents a critical csv injection flaw within the Activity Log Team Activity Log plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 2.8.3. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization when processing user-supplied data that gets exported to csv format, creating a potential vector for malicious code execution through spreadsheet applications. The flaw allows attackers to craft specially formatted input that, when exported to csv files, can execute arbitrary commands when opened in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between spreadsheet applications and csv file parsing, where certain csv content can be interpreted as executable formulas by these applications. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-1236 which specifically addresses the improper handling of CSV data in applications that export or import such data formats. The attack surface extends to any WordPress site utilizing the affected plugin where users with sufficient privileges can manipulate the activity log data that gets exported to csv format, potentially leading to command execution on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user input containing malicious csv formulas gets processed through the plugin's export functionality without proper sanitization or encoding. When the affected plugin exports activity log data to csv format, it fails to properly escape or encode special characters that have meaning in csv parsing contexts, particularly the equals sign, plus sign, minus sign, and tab character that spreadsheet applications interpret as formula indicators. Attackers can exploit this by creating activity log entries that contain malicious formulas prefixed with these special characters, which then get written to the exported csv file. Upon opening the csv file in spreadsheet applications, these formulas execute automatically, potentially leading to remote code execution, data exfiltration, or system compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of proper output encoding and input validation that is commonly seen in web applications that handle data export functionality. This weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection, where attackers leverage application parsing behavior to inject malicious payloads that execute in the context of the victim's system.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-27858 extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it represents a potential gateway for broader system compromise within WordPress environments. Organizations using the affected plugin may experience unauthorized access to their activity logs, which often contain sensitive information about user activities, system changes, and potential security events. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who gain access to accounts with sufficient privileges to generate activity log entries, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have administrative access or where the plugin is used in conjunction with other security monitoring tools. The threat landscape for this vulnerability is further complicated by the fact that many organizations rely on csv exports for compliance reporting, security audits, and incident response activities, making the potential for exploitation more significant. Additionally, the vulnerability can be chained with other attacks, such as credential theft or privilege escalation, to create more sophisticated attack vectors. The risk is heightened when considering that many organizations use automated systems to process csv files, which could execute malicious code without user intervention. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for security operations centers and compliance-focused environments where automated processing of log data is common.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27858 should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the csv injection vulnerability, as well as implementing additional security controls to prevent exploitation. Organizations should prioritize updating the Activity Log Team Activity Log plugin to the latest version that includes proper input sanitization and csv encoding measures. The fix typically involves implementing proper escaping of special characters in exported csv data and ensuring that formula indicators are not interpreted as executable content in spreadsheet applications. Security teams should also consider implementing network-level controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious csv content patterns, though this approach is less reliable than proper input validation. Additional protective measures include restricting user privileges to minimize the potential for exploitation, implementing proper access controls on the activity log export functionality, and monitoring for unusual activity log entries that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling csv export functionality if it's not essential for operations, or implementing additional sanitization layers at the application level. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability requires immediate attention as it can impact audit trails and security monitoring capabilities, potentially violating regulatory requirements for data integrity and system security. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation and output encoding in web applications, particularly when handling data export and import operations that interact with external systems and applications.