CVE-2022-2936 in Image Hover Effects Ultimate Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/06/2022
The Image Hover Effects Ultimate plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Video Link values that can be added to an Image Hover in versions up to, and including, 9.7.3 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. By default, the plugin only allows administrators access to edit Image Hovers, however, if a site admin makes the plugin's features available to lower privileged users through the 'Who Can Edit?' setting then this can be exploited by those users.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2022
The CVE-2022-2936 vulnerability resides within the Image Hover Effects Ultimate WordPress plugin, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects versions up to and including 9.7.3. This vulnerability emerges from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's video link parameter handling. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through the video link field when creating or modifying image hover effects, creating a persistent security risk that can compromise user sessions and execute arbitrary code on victim browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's administrative interface where users can configure various hover effects, including video links, making it a prime target for exploitation in targeted attacks against WordPress installations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before storing it in the database and subsequently rendering it on web pages. When administrators or authorized users create image hover effects with video links, the plugin stores these values without adequate sanitization processes. The subsequent output escaping mechanism fails to properly encode the stored data when rendered in web pages, creating an environment where malicious scripts can execute in the context of a victim's browser. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the standard XSS attack vector where injected scripts are stored on the server and executed when legitimate users access the affected pages, making it particularly dangerous as the attack can persist indefinitely until the malicious content is removed.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-2936 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to leverage the compromised WordPress installation for more sophisticated attacks. When attackers gain access through this vulnerability, they can potentially steal user session cookies, redirect victims to malicious sites, or execute additional attacks such as privilege escalation within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's exploitation requires authentication, limiting its scope to users with appropriate permissions, but this limitation does not mitigate the risk since administrators may inadvertently grant editing privileges to less trusted users through the plugin's 'Who Can Edit?' configuration setting. This configuration allows for role-based access control that can be misconfigured, creating additional attack vectors that bypass the typical administrative restrictions.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a classic example of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which represents one of the most prevalent web application security flaws. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can use it to establish persistent access and execute malicious commands. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including plugin version updates to address the vulnerability, proper access control configuration to limit editing privileges, and regular security audits of WordPress installations. The vulnerability underscores the importance of input validation and output escaping in web applications, particularly in content management systems where user-generated content processing is common. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers and regular security monitoring can provide additional defense layers against exploitation attempts, while maintaining up-to-date security patches remains the primary defense mechanism against such vulnerabilities.