CVE-2022-46852 in WP Table Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/03/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WP Table Builder plugin <= 1.4.6 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2023
The CVE-2022-46852 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the WP Table Builder WordPress plugin, affecting versions 1.4.6 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically targets administrative users with privileges of level admin or higher, making it particularly dangerous in environments where plugin administrators have elevated access rights. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user input within table data structures, where malicious scripts can be injected and subsequently executed when other users view the affected tables. The vulnerability stems from insufficient output sanitization and validation of user-supplied data, creating an attack surface where crafted payloads can persist within the plugin's database storage mechanisms.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of table content fields where administrators can input data without proper sanitization. When the malicious input is stored within the plugin's database and subsequently rendered in the user interface, the embedded scripts execute within the context of other users' browsers. This stored XSS vector allows attackers to perform actions such as stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary JavaScript code on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, and specifically relates to CWE-80 which addresses the improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags in a web page.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-46852 extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues, as it enables persistent malicious activities within WordPress environments. An attacker with administrative privileges could inject malicious scripts that compromise user sessions, steal sensitive data, or establish backdoor access points through the compromised plugin. The vulnerability's persistence means that once exploited, the malicious payloads remain active until manually removed from the database, potentially allowing extended periods of unauthorized access. This stored nature also complicates detection and remediation efforts as the malicious code can be present in multiple locations within the plugin's data structures and may not be immediately apparent during routine security scans.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to version 1.4.7 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the XSS vulnerability. Security teams should conduct comprehensive audits of affected installations, reviewing table data for any signs of malicious injection and implementing proper input validation measures. The mitigation strategy should include regular security monitoring of plugin directories, database content verification, and implementation of web application firewalls to detect and block potential XSS payloads. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation, ensuring that only essential personnel have administrative access to plugins that handle user-generated content. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of comprehensive input validation in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK techniques related to credential access and persistence through web application vulnerabilities.