CVE-2022-4679 in Wufoo Shortcode Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2023
The Wufoo Shortcode WordPress plugin before 1.52 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could allow users with the contributor role and above to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4679 affects the Wufoo Shortcode WordPress plugin version 1.51 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing functionality. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to the webpage, creating an avenue for malicious code injection.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when contributors or users with equivalent privileges insert malicious JavaScript code through shortcode attributes. These attributes are then stored within the WordPress database and executed whenever the affected page or post is rendered. The flaw constitutes a classic stored XSS vulnerability, where the malicious payload persists in the database and affects all users who view the compromised content. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit, as contributors can perform these attacks without needing administrator-level access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress websites utilizing the affected plugin. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that once a malicious contributor injects code, it will execute for all visitors who access the affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or further compromise of the website. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it operates within the legitimate WordPress environment, making detection more challenging. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1566.001 (Social Engineering: Spearphishing Attachment) as attackers could use the compromised site to distribute further malicious payloads.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2022-4679 centers on immediate plugin updates to version 1.52 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input validation and output escaping deficiencies. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including role-based access control restrictions, limiting the contributor role's ability to insert potentially dangerous shortcode attributes. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while implementing content security policies can provide additional protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping practices in web development, emphasizing that all user-supplied data should be treated as potentially malicious and properly validated before being processed or displayed.