CVE-2022-3206 in Passster Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2022
The Passster WordPress plugin before 3.5.5.5.2 stores the password inside a cookie named "passster" using base64 encoding method which is easy to decode. This puts the password at risk in case the cookies get leaked.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3206 affects the Passster WordPress plugin version 3.5.5.5.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw in how user credentials are handled within the application's cookie storage mechanism. This issue represents a fundamental failure in secure credential management practices and constitutes a direct violation of established security principles for handling sensitive authentication data.
The technical flaw lies in the plugin's implementation of cookie-based authentication where passwords are stored in a cookie named "passster" using base64 encoding without proper cryptographic protection. This approach directly contravenes security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and CWE-312 (Sensitive Data Exposure) which specifically addresses the exposure of sensitive data through improper encoding or storage mechanisms. The base64 encoding used is not encryption but merely obfuscation, making it trivial for attackers to decode and recover the original password values. This vulnerability creates a direct pathway for credential compromise when cookies are intercepted through various attack vectors including man-in-the-middle attacks, cross-site scripting exploits, or server-side cookie leakage.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it creates a persistent security risk for all users of affected plugin versions. When passwords are stored in cookies with base64 encoding, they become immediately accessible to any attacker who gains access to the cookie data through network sniffing, server log analysis, or client-side attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1552.001 (Credentials in Files) and T1552.002 (Credentials in Registry) as it represents a method of credential storage that can be easily extracted and decoded. The exposure of passwords in this manner can lead to complete account takeover, unauthorized access to protected content, and potential lateral movement within compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to version 3.5.5.5.2 or later, which addresses the insecure cookie handling mechanism. Organizations should implement comprehensive cookie security policies including the use of secure flags, HttpOnly attributes, and SameSite directives to prevent cookie theft. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar insecure credential storage practices. The remediation process must also include monitoring for potential exploitation attempts and implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify cookie interception activities. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper cryptographic implementation and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation flaws can create significant security risks in web applications.