CVE-2022-3282 in Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2022
The Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload WordPress plugin before 1.3.6.5 does not properly check for the upload size limit set in forms, taking the value from user input sent when submitting the form. As a result, attackers could control the file length limit and bypass the limit set by admins in the contact form.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3282 affects the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload WordPress plugin version 1.3.6.4 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the plugin's file upload validation mechanisms. This issue stems from improper input validation where the plugin fails to properly sanitize and verify the file size limit parameters submitted through contact forms. The vulnerability allows malicious actors to manipulate the upload size restrictions that administrators have configured, potentially enabling them to bypass intended limitations and upload files exceeding the configured thresholds. The flaw exists specifically within the plugin's handling of user-provided form data, where it directly accepts and processes the file size limit value without adequate verification against the system's configured constraints. This represents a classic case of insecure input handling that directly impacts the plugin's core security controls and could lead to resource exhaustion or unauthorized file uploads that exceed administrative policies.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the principle of least privilege and input validation, where the plugin's code path processes user-supplied parameters without proper sanitization or verification against the system's intended configuration. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious form submissions that include modified file size limit values, effectively overriding the administrator-configured restrictions. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes the upload size limit parameter from the form submission, directly using the user-provided value rather than validating it against the system's established limits. This flaw creates a path for privilege escalation through unauthorized resource consumption and potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation contexts. The issue essentially allows attackers to manipulate the plugin's behavior through user input manipulation, creating a bypass of the intended access controls and resource management policies.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file upload bypasses, potentially enabling attackers to consume excessive server resources through large file uploads, leading to denial of service conditions for legitimate users. Administrators who configure specific upload size limits expecting to control resource consumption and prevent unauthorized large file transfers find their security policies circumvented through this vulnerability. The risk is particularly significant in environments where the plugin handles sensitive data or where server resources are constrained, as attackers can exploit the bypass to upload unusually large files that may exhaust storage space or consume excessive processing power. Additionally, this vulnerability could facilitate further exploitation by allowing attackers to upload malicious files that bypass size-based detection mechanisms, potentially leading to code execution or other advanced attack vectors. The flaw creates a persistent security gap that remains active until the plugin is updated to version 1.3.6.5 or later, leaving affected systems vulnerable to exploitation during this window.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3282 require immediate action to update the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload plugin to version 1.3.6.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation issues. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of file upload activities to detect unusual patterns or attempts to bypass configured limits. Network-level controls such as rate limiting and upload size restrictions at the web server level can provide additional defense in depth. Security teams should review existing access controls and file upload policies to ensure that administrators have properly configured limits and that monitoring systems are in place to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for security-conscious development practices that validate all user-provided data against system constraints. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious form submissions attempting to manipulate upload parameters, providing an additional layer of protection against this class of vulnerability.