CVE-2022-41785 in Gallery Images Ape Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2023
Auth. (contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in Galleryape Gallery Images Ape plugin <= 2.2.8 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/21/2023
The CVE-2022-41785 vulnerability represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Galleryape Gallery Images Ape plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 2.2.8. This vulnerability specifically targets users with contributor privileges or higher, making it particularly concerning for content management systems where multiple user roles exist with varying levels of access. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and output sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's handling of user-submitted data, particularly in gallery image management functionalities where contributors can upload and modify image metadata.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs before storing and subsequently rendering them in web pages. When contributors upload images or modify gallery configurations, the plugin accepts and processes data without adequate filtering of potentially malicious script content. This allows an authenticated attacker with contributor-level permissions to inject malicious javascript code into the plugin's database storage. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload persists in the system and executes every time the affected page is loaded, making it particularly dangerous for environments where multiple users interact with the gallery functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-41785 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session. This could lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only contributor-level access, which is often granted to content creators, editors, or other trusted users who may not have administrative privileges. This makes the attack surface broader than many other XSS vulnerabilities that require higher privilege levels. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code continues to execute for all users who view the affected gallery pages, potentially affecting a large number of users over extended periods.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the patched version of the Galleryape Gallery Images Ape plugin, which addresses the input validation gaps that enable this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious script patterns in user-submitted content. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of input sanitization practices and privilege escalation controls. Additionally, implementing principle of least privilege access controls can limit the damage potential of such vulnerabilities by restricting contributor access to gallery management functions where possible.