CVE-2022-3966 in Ultimate Member Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/13/2022
A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Ultimate Member Plugin up to 2.5.0. This issue affects the function load_template of the file includes/core/class-shortcodes.php of the component Template Handler. The manipulation of the argument tpl leads to pathname traversal. The attack may be initiated remotely. Upgrading to version 2.5.1 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is e1bc94c1100f02a129721ba4be5fbc44c3d78ec4. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The identifier VDB-213545 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3966 represents a critical security flaw within the Ultimate Member WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions up to 2.5.0. This issue resides within the template handling functionality of the plugin, where the load_template function in includes/core/class-shortcodes.php fails to properly validate input parameters. The vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of the tpl argument, which allows attackers to manipulate file paths through directory traversal techniques. This flaw enables unauthorized access to sensitive files and potentially arbitrary code execution within the context of the web application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through pathname traversal attacks that exploit the improper validation of user-supplied input in the template loading mechanism. When the tpl parameter is processed, the lack of proper input filtering allows attackers to inject malicious path sequences that can navigate beyond the intended directory structure. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-22 Path Traversal and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it enables attackers to manipulate the application's file system access patterns. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can leverage this weakness without requiring physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3966 extends beyond simple file access violations, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can access sensitive plugin files, configuration data, and potentially user information stored within the WordPress installation. The attack surface includes not only the plugin's own files but also any files accessible through the web server's file system permissions. This vulnerability can facilitate further attacks including privilege escalation, data exfiltration, and the installation of backdoors. The severity classification as critical reflects the potential for widespread compromise across multiple WordPress installations running vulnerable versions of the Ultimate Member plugin.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through the recommended upgrade to version 2.5.1, which incorporates the patch identified by the commit hash e1bc94c1100f02a129721ba4be5fbc44c3d78ec4. Organizations should prioritize this upgrade across all affected systems and verify the patch's successful implementation through proper testing procedures. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious path traversal attempts, conducting comprehensive security audits of all WordPress plugins, and establishing robust monitoring for unusual file access patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar weaknesses in other components of the web application stack. The patch addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and sanitization of the tpl parameter before it is processed by the template loading function, thereby preventing the exploitation of the pathname traversal vulnerability.