CVE-2022-36355 in easy-org-chart
Summary
by MITRE • 09/01/2022
Authenticated (contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in PluginlySpeaking Easy Org Chart plugin
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2022
The CVE-2022-36355 vulnerability represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the PluginlySpeaking Easy Org Chart WordPress plugin, affecting users with contributor level privileges or higher. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input within organizational chart data structures, specifically when processing employee information, department details, or other hierarchical data entered through the WordPress admin interface. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with contributor permissions or greater to inject malicious scripts that persist in the database and execute whenever the affected data is rendered to other users. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active even after the initial injection, creating a persistent threat vector that can affect multiple users over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's data processing functions. When contributors enter information such as employee names, job titles, or organizational descriptions, the plugin fails to properly sanitize these inputs before storing them in the WordPress database. The vulnerability specifically manifests in areas where the plugin renders organizational chart data, particularly in JavaScript-based chart generation components that directly incorporate user-supplied data without adequate HTML escaping or context-appropriate sanitization. This weakness creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browser context of other users viewing the organizational charts, making it particularly dangerous in collaborative environments where multiple users access shared organizational data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, creating significant security implications for organizations relying on the Easy Org Chart plugin. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious domains, or perform actions on behalf of other users within the WordPress environment. The contributor level privilege requirement means that attackers could leverage compromised contributor accounts or escalate privileges through other means to achieve this vulnerability exploitation. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations with complex hierarchical structures where contributor-level users might have access to sensitive organizational information, making the potential attack surface broader than initially apparent. The stored nature of the XSS also allows for more sophisticated attack vectors including phishing attempts that appear legitimate within the organizational chart context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-36355 should prioritize immediate plugin updates from the vendor, as this vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement additional defensive measures including regular monitoring of user activity within contributor accounts, implementing content security policies that restrict script execution, and conducting thorough input validation for all user-supplied data within the WordPress environment. Network-based solutions such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by filtering suspicious script content before it reaches the application. Security teams should also consider implementing privileged account monitoring and regular security audits of WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a typical example of how insufficient input sanitization creates persistent security risks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access through web application exploitation and privilege escalation through compromised user accounts, highlighting the importance of comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege models to limit the impact of compromised contributor accounts and maintain detailed logging of all user activities within the plugin's administrative functions.