CVE-2022-45369 in Google Reviews Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2022
Auth. (subscriber+) Broken Access Control vulnerability in Plugin for Google Reviews plugin <= 2.2.2 on WordPress.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2022
The CVE-2022-45369 vulnerability represents a critical authentication and access control flaw within the Google Reviews plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 2.2.2. This vulnerability specifically targets users with subscriber-level privileges or higher, creating a significant security risk for WordPress sites that utilize this plugin. The issue stems from improper authorization checks that allow authenticated users to bypass normal access restrictions and perform actions they should not be permitted to execute.
The technical implementation of this broken access control vulnerability occurs due to insufficient validation of user roles and permissions within the plugin's codebase. When users with subscriber-level access attempt to interact with the plugin's administrative functions, the system fails to properly verify their authorization levels before executing sensitive operations. This flaw typically manifests through manipulated HTTP requests or direct API calls that exploit the lack of proper access control mechanisms. The vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who have obtained subscriber-level credentials or by leveraging other attack vectors that grant them access to the WordPress site with at least subscriber privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can enable attackers to manipulate review data, modify plugin configurations, or potentially gain deeper access to the WordPress installation. Subscribers with access to the plugin's administrative interface can potentially alter review settings, delete reviews, or inject malicious content into the plugin's functionality. This access control failure creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by both external attackers and compromised insider accounts. The vulnerability undermines the fundamental security model of WordPress by allowing users with minimal privileges to perform actions that should be restricted to administrators or editors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-45369 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the access control flaw, as this represents the most effective defense against exploitation. Organizations should also implement network-level monitoring to detect unusual patterns of access to the plugin's administrative endpoints and establish strict role-based access controls within WordPress. Security teams should conduct thorough audits of all installed plugins to identify similar access control vulnerabilities and ensure proper privilege separation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which specifically addresses improper authorization issues, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and privilege escalation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to prevent similar issues from emerging in other plugins or custom WordPress functionality, while maintaining detailed logging of administrative activities to detect unauthorized access attempts.