CVE-2022-3137 in TaskBuilder
Summary
by MITRE • 10/11/2022
The Taskbuilder WordPress plugin before 1.0.8 does not validate and sanitise task's attachments, which could allow any authenticated user (such as subscriber) creating a task to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting by attaching a malicious SVG file
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/24/2022
The CVE-2022-3137 vulnerability affects the Taskbuilder WordPress plugin version 1.0.7 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of user input validation and sanitization mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of task attachments, where it fails to properly validate and sanitize file uploads, particularly SVG files that can contain malicious cross-site scripting payloads. The flaw exists within the plugin's attachment processing logic, which does not adequately filter or sanitize user-supplied file content before storing and rendering these attachments within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's insufficient input validation controls that should normally enforce file type restrictions and content sanitization. When an authenticated user with subscriber privileges creates a task and attaches what appears to be a legitimate SVG file, the system accepts and stores the file without proper validation. This allows attackers to embed malicious JavaScript code within the SVG file structure, which then executes in the context of other users who view the task with the malicious attachment. The vulnerability operates as a stored cross-site scripting attack because the malicious payload is permanently stored on the server and executed each time the affected page is loaded, rather than requiring a direct user interaction with a crafted URL.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3137 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to escalate privileges and compromise user sessions within the WordPress environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, session tokens, and potentially gain access to sensitive user data or administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows low-privilege users to execute malicious code, which violates the principle of least privilege and could enable attackers to establish persistent access to the WordPress installation. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious file attachments.
Organizations using the Taskbuilder plugin must implement immediate remediation measures to address this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves upgrading to version 1.0.8 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization controls for file attachments. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting file upload capabilities, implementing content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious file uploads. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and sanitization in web applications, particularly when handling user-supplied content. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other plugins or themes that may exhibit similar validation weaknesses, as this represents a common pattern in web application security vulnerabilities that can be exploited to achieve unauthorized access and data compromise.