CVE-2022-45827 in GalleryPlugins Video Contest Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/12/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in GalleryPlugins Video Contest plugin <= 3.2 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2022-45827 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the GalleryPlugins Video Contest WordPress plugin affecting versions 3.2 and earlier. This issue specifically targets administrative users with privileges equal to or greater than administrator level, making it particularly concerning for WordPress site owners who rely on plugin functionality for media management and user engagement. The vulnerability resides in how the plugin processes and stores user input, creating a persistent vector for malicious script execution that can affect all users interacting with the compromised plugin interface. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious scripts that persist in the plugin's database and execute whenever other users view the affected content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When administrators or privileged users interact with the video contest plugin's administrative interface, the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data before storing it in the database. This stored data is then subsequently retrieved and displayed without proper HTML escaping or context-appropriate sanitization, creating the conditions for XSS exploitation. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's handling of video contest entries, user submissions, or administrative configuration parameters where user input is accepted and persisted. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') with the specific characteristic of being a stored XSS variant where the malicious payload is permanently stored on the target server.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-45827 extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with potential access to administrative functions and user data. Once exploited, the malicious scripts can perform actions such as stealing administrator session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, modifying plugin settings, or even executing arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that the vulnerability remains active until the malicious payload is removed from the database, potentially affecting all users who access the compromised plugin interface. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001: Phishing via Social Media, as attackers could use the XSS to create malicious redirects or content that appears legitimate to users, or T1071.001: Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, when the malicious scripts interact with web services. The risk is amplified for WordPress sites that rely heavily on user-generated content through plugins, as the compromised administrative interface could be leveraged to manipulate video contest data or user submissions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-45827 require immediate action from affected site administrators, including updating to the patched version of the GalleryPlugins Video Contest plugin as soon as possible. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping practices throughout their WordPress environments, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before storage and display. The implementation of Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can provide additional protection against XSS attacks by restricting script execution and limiting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Security monitoring should include regular vulnerability scanning of WordPress installations and plugin versions to identify unpatched components that may be vulnerable to similar attacks. Administrative users should also implement principle of least privilege, limiting the number of administrative accounts and ensuring that only essential personnel have access to the plugin's administrative interfaces. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that all components are running supported and secure versions. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and maintaining robust security practices within web applications.