CVE-2022-47437 in WSB Brands Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2023
Auth. (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Branko Borilovic WSB Brands plugin <= 1.1.8 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-47437 represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw within the WSB Brands plugin for WordPress, affecting versions up to and including 1.1.8. 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 brand management and product catalog operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's administrative interface where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being stored in the database and subsequently rendered back to users. This allows authenticated attackers with administrative access to inject malicious javascript code that persists in the database and executes in the context of other administrators or users who view the affected pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of plugin parameters that handle brand information, product descriptions, or other user-editable content within the administrative dashboard. When administrators or privileged users access pages containing the stored malicious payloads, the injected javascript executes in their browsers, potentially enabling attackers to perform actions such as modifying plugin settings, stealing session cookies, redirecting users to malicious sites, or executing arbitrary code within the victim's browser context. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script persists in the database and affects all users who view the compromised content, unlike reflected XSS where the payload must be injected through external requests. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a critical security concern for WordPress environments where plugin administrators have elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-47437 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more extensive attacks within the WordPress environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can leverage the administrative privileges to modify core plugin functionality, access sensitive brand data, manipulate product information, or even potentially escalate their privileges further within the WordPress installation. The attack vector requires authentication, which limits the scope of potential exploitation compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities, but the elevated privileges of the target users make this particularly dangerous. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability fits within the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Command and Control" where persistent malicious code execution allows for ongoing access and data exfiltration. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices that could affect other areas of the plugin or even the broader WordPress installation if additional attack surfaces exist.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-47437 primarily involve immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that properly address the stored XSS vulnerability. Users should upgrade to the latest version of the WSB Brands plugin where input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms have been implemented to prevent malicious script injection. Additionally, administrators should implement principle of least privilege by ensuring that only necessary users have administrative access to the WordPress installation, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activities or attempts to inject malicious content through the plugin interface. Regular security audits of installed plugins should include verification of proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms, particularly for plugins handling user-editable content. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining updated WordPress core installations and plugins, as outdated software often contains known vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit in the wild. Organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block common XSS patterns, though these should be viewed as supplementary protections rather than primary defenses against this specific vulnerability.