CVE-2022-4265 in Replyable Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2023
The Replyable WordPress plugin before 2.2.10 does not validate the class name submitted by the request when instantiating an object in the prompt_dismiss_notice action and also lacks CSRF check in the related action. This could allow any authenticated users, such as subscriber to perform Object Injection attacks. The attack could also be done via a CSRF vector against any authenticated user
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2025
The CVE-2022-4265 vulnerability affects the Replyable WordPress plugin version 2.2.10 and earlier, presenting a critical security flaw that enables unauthorized object injection attacks through improper input validation and missing cross-site request forgery protections. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the prompt_dismiss_notice action where the plugin fails to validate class names submitted through user requests before instantiating objects, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code through object deserialization attacks. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user-supplied data during the notice dismissal process, where the system accepts class names directly from HTTP parameters without adequate sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to manipulate the object instantiation flow.
The vulnerability's exploitation potential extends beyond simple code execution to include broader system compromise through object injection techniques that leverage the PHP object deserialization mechanism. Attackers can leverage this weakness to instantiate malicious objects with predetermined class names, potentially leading to remote code execution, privilege escalation, or data exfiltration. The absence of CSRF protection in the affected action means that authenticated users, including low-privilege subscribers, can be tricked into executing malicious requests through social engineering or compromised user sessions. This combination of insufficient input validation and missing CSRF protections creates a particularly dangerous attack vector that can be exploited through both direct user interaction and automated CSRF attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin, as it allows attackers with minimal privileges to potentially compromise entire websites through object injection attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of secure coding practices and represents a failure to implement proper input validation and CSRF protection mechanisms, both of which are fundamental security requirements for web applications. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-502 which describes "Deserialization of Untrusted Data" and potentially CWE-352 which covers Cross-Site Request Forgery, making it a compound security flaw that requires immediate remediation. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that any authenticated user can exploit this vulnerability, including subscribers who typically have minimal privileges, which means that even sites with strict user access controls remain vulnerable.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of the Replyable plugin to version 2.2.10 or later, which addresses the object injection vulnerability through proper class name validation and implements CSRF protection mechanisms. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other third-party components. The remediation process should include implementing proper input validation for all user-supplied data, enforcing CSRF tokens for all state-changing operations, and establishing automated monitoring for suspicious plugin activity. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and runtime application self-protection measures to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their entire web application portfolio.