CVE-2022-37342 in Add Shortcodes Actions and Filters Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/23/2022
Authenticated (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability Add Shortcodes Actions And Filters plugin <= 2.0.9 at WordPress.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2022
The authenticated stored cross-site scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37342 affects the Add Shortcodes Actions And Filters plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 2.0.9. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that allows authenticated administrators or users with elevated privileges to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's administrative interface. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, creating an environment where malicious code can be persistently stored and executed whenever affected pages are accessed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the plugin's administrative dashboard where users with administrator privileges can input malicious JavaScript code through various interface elements. When this malicious content is saved and subsequently rendered in the plugin's administrative views, the stored scripts execute in the context of other administrators who access these pages. The flaw specifically manifests in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape user inputs before they are stored in the WordPress database and later displayed in administrative interfaces. This represents a classic stored XSS vulnerability pattern where the malicious payload is not immediately executed but rather stored and triggered upon subsequent page loads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to perform actions on behalf of legitimate administrators. An attacker with administrative access could potentially steal session cookies, modify plugin configurations, access sensitive data, or even escalate privileges further within the WordPress environment. The vulnerability's authenticated nature means that it requires an existing administrative account, but once exploited, it can be used to maintain persistent access and conduct more extensive attacks against the WordPress installation. This flaw significantly undermines the security model of WordPress sites that rely on plugin functionality for enhanced features and capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37342 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 2.1.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities, and ensuring that only necessary plugins are installed on production systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution and T1566 for credential access through malicious code injection. Administrative users should also consider implementing web application firewalls, input validation mechanisms, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other components of their WordPress installations.