CVE-2022-45355 in WP Pipes Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2023
Auth. (admin+) SQL Injection (SQLi) vulnerability in ThimPress WP Pipes plugin <= 1.33 versions.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2023
The CVE-2022-45355 vulnerability represents a critical authentication bypass SQL injection flaw discovered in the WP Pipes plugin for WordPress platforms. This vulnerability affects versions 1.33 and earlier, specifically targeting the administrative interfaces of the plugin where authenticated users with administrator privileges or higher can exploit the weakness. The vulnerability resides within the plugin's handling of user input parameters that are directly incorporated into database queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. Attackers with administrative access can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially gaining complete control over the affected WordPress installation and its associated data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the plugin's backend processing functions. When administrative users perform certain operations within the WP Pipes interface, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize user-supplied parameters before incorporating them into SQL query construction. This lack of input sanitization creates a classic SQL injection vector that allows attackers to manipulate database queries through maliciously crafted inputs. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires only administrative privileges to exploit, meaning that an attacker who has already gained access to an administrator account can leverage this weakness to escalate their privileges or extract sensitive information from the database. The flaw aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection vulnerabilities and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices that mandate proper input validation and parameterized queries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete system compromise and persistent backdoor access. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can potentially extract user credentials, administrative session tokens, plugin configurations, and other sensitive data stored in the WordPress database. The compromised system may also allow for lateral movement within the network if the WordPress installation shares database credentials with other applications. This vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the entire WordPress installation, potentially exposing not just the plugin data but also the broader application ecosystem. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where WordPress serves as a central platform for multiple applications or where it handles sensitive business data, making this vulnerability a high-priority target for threat actors.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves updating the WP Pipes plugin to version 1.34 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the SQL injection flaw. System administrators should also implement network-level monitoring to detect suspicious database query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Database access controls should be reviewed and hardened to limit the privileges of the WordPress database user account, implementing the principle of least privilege. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious SQL injection attempts. Regular security audits should include verification of all installed WordPress plugins to ensure they are running patched versions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1566 which covers credential harvesting through exploitation of vulnerabilities.