CVE-2022-3036 in Gettext Override Translations Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/19/2022
The Gettext override translations WordPress plugin before 2.0.0 does not sanitise and escape some of its 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 • 10/20/2022
The CVE-2022-3036 vulnerability resides within the Gettext override translations WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.0.0. This security flaw represents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that undermines the plugin's input sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when high-privilege users, particularly administrators, interact with the plugin's settings interface, creating a scenario where malicious scripts can be persistently stored and executed within the WordPress environment. The affected plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-provided input data, creating an attack vector that bypasses standard WordPress security measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's administrative settings handling. When administrators modify plugin configurations, the system does not sufficiently sanitize or escape potentially malicious input before storing it in the database. This allows attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code into plugin settings, which then gets executed whenever the settings are rendered or processed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multisite WordPress environments where the unfiltered_html capability is typically restricted to prevent XSS attacks, yet this flaw allows bypassing such protections through the plugin's improper sanitization practices.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the context of any user who accesses the plugin's administrative interface or views pages where the malicious code is rendered. The stored nature of this XSS attack means that the malicious payload persists in the database and can affect multiple users over time. In a multisite setup, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to compromise multiple sites within the network, as the malicious script execution occurs in the context of the WordPress admin environment where elevated privileges exist. The attack requires only administrative access, which is typically limited in most WordPress installations, but the consequence of such access being exploited is severe.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in software applications. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it allows for script execution within the target environment. Organizations should immediately update to version 2.0.0 or later of the Gettext override translations plugin to remediate this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should implement strict input validation procedures and regularly audit plugin configurations for potential XSS vulnerabilities. The mitigation strategy should also include monitoring for suspicious administrative activities and ensuring that the principle of least privilege is maintained for all user accounts, particularly those with administrative capabilities. Regular security assessments of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential to identify and address similar sanitization issues that could lead to persistent security vulnerabilities within WordPress environments.