CVE-2022-33142 in Better Messages Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/23/2022
Authenticated (subscriber+) Denial Of Service (DoS) vulnerability in WordPlus WordPress Better Messages plugin <= 1.9.10.57 at WordPress.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2025
The CVE-2022-33142 vulnerability represents a critical authenticated denial of service flaw affecting the WordPlus WordPress Better Messages plugin version 1.9.10.57 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets WordPress installations where users with subscriber-level permissions or higher can exploit the flaw to disrupt normal service operations. The issue stems from improper input validation within the plugin's message handling functionality, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to consume excessive system resources or trigger application crashes. The vulnerability exists in the plugin's processing of user-submitted messages, where insufficient sanitization allows malicious inputs to cause the system to enter an unstable state. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect the entire WordPress installation's availability, potentially compromising user experience and data integrity within the messaging system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves leveraging the authenticated user context to submit specially crafted message parameters that cause the plugin to process malformed data in a way that exhausts memory resources or triggers infinite loops. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes unchecked resource consumption as a significant security weakness. The flaw operates by bypassing normal validation mechanisms that should prevent malformed inputs from being processed, allowing attackers to consume system resources without proper bounds checking. Attackers can exploit this by creating multiple malicious messages or by crafting single messages that trigger resource-intensive operations within the plugin's backend processing. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate error handling within the plugin's architecture, creating an attack surface that can be leveraged by users with minimal privileges.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress administrators and site owners who may not immediately detect the DoS conditions caused by authenticated users. The impact includes potential service unavailability for legitimate users, increased system load, and possible degradation of performance across the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability can be particularly damaging in high-traffic environments where the plugin is actively used, as the DoS conditions may persist and compound over time. Additionally, the authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not require elevated privileges beyond subscriber status, making the attack vector more accessible and harder to detect. The vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as initial DoS conditions may be used to mask other malicious activities or to create conditions that facilitate further exploitation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the WordPlus Better Messages plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing strict input validation measures, and monitoring user activities for unusual message submission patterns. The recommended approach involves deploying the patched plugin version that addresses the resource consumption issues and implements proper input sanitization. System administrators should also consider implementing rate limiting and monitoring mechanisms to detect anomalous usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date plugins and following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security audits. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, though the authenticated nature limits the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain comprehensive logging of user activities within the messaging system.