CVE-2022-3494 in Complianz Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2022
The Complianz WordPress plugin before 6.3.4, and Complianz Premium WordPress plugin before 6.3.6 allow a translators to inject arbitrary SQL through an unsanitized translation. SQL can be injected through an infected translation file, or by a user with a translator role through translation plugins such as Loco Translate or WPML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3494 affects the Complianz WordPress plugin ecosystem, specifically targeting versions prior to 6.3.4 for the standard plugin and 6.3.6 for the premium variant. This security flaw represents a critical SQL injection vulnerability that arises from insufficient input sanitization within the plugin's translation handling mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes translation files without properly validating or escaping user-supplied translation data, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be exploited through multiple pathways, including compromised translation files or by leveraging user accounts with translator privileges. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws as a fundamental weakness in application security, where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or escaping mechanisms. The implications extend beyond traditional database compromise, as successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover, data exfiltration, and unauthorized access to sensitive user information stored within the WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Complianz plugin processes translation strings that are passed through user-modifiable translation files. Attackers with translator roles or those who can upload malicious translation files can manipulate the translation data to inject SQL payloads that bypass normal input validation checks. The vulnerability exploits the plugin's failure to properly sanitize translation parameters before incorporating them into database queries, creating a direct path for SQL injection attacks. When translation strings are processed without adequate escaping or parameterization, any special SQL characters or commands embedded within the translation data can be interpreted as executable SQL code by the database engine. This particular weakness aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which describes valid accounts usage for persistence and privilege escalation, as attackers could leverage translator roles to gain unauthorized database access. The vulnerability's exploitation is facilitated by the plugin's reliance on unsanitized translation data, which is often handled with minimal security consideration in translation management systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3494 extends far beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could extract user credentials, personal data, and other confidential information stored in the WordPress database. The vulnerability's accessibility through translation plugins like Loco Translate or WPML makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by threat actors with relatively low privileges, including users with translator roles. This creates a significant risk for websites that rely on community translation contributions or allow user-generated content translation. The attack surface is further expanded by the potential for supply chain compromise through infected translation files, where malicious actors could distribute compromised translation packages that silently install backdoors or data exfiltration mechanisms. Organizations using the affected Complianz plugin versions face substantial risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to unauthorized data access and processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3494 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves updating both the standard Complianz plugin to version 6.3.4 and the premium variant to 6.3.6, which contain the necessary patches to sanitize translation inputs properly. System administrators should also implement strict access controls for translation management features, limiting translator roles to trusted users only and disabling unnecessary translation capabilities for untrusted accounts. Database query sanitization practices should be enhanced through parameterized queries and input validation mechanisms that prevent SQL injection regardless of the data source. Network monitoring should be strengthened to detect unusual database access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around translation-related API endpoints or database queries. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attempts. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their WordPress installations, reviewing all plugin and theme configurations to identify similar vulnerabilities in translation handling or user input processing. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to maintain ongoing protection against similar weaknesses, with particular attention to the principle of least privilege in translation management systems and proper input validation across all user-modifiable data pathways.