CVE-2022-47439 in Open Graphite Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2023
Unauth. Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Rocket Apps Open Graphite plugin <= 1.6.0 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2023
This vulnerability represents an unauthorized reflected cross-site scripting flaw that affects the Open Graphite plugin for WordPress systems. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, specifically in parameters that are reflected back to users without proper encoding or filtering mechanisms. The vulnerability exists in versions 1.6.0 and earlier, making a substantial portion of installations susceptible to exploitation by unauthenticated attackers who can craft malicious URLs containing script payloads.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the plugin processes certain HTTP parameters through user-facing interfaces or API endpoints without adequate sanitization before rendering them back to client browsers. This creates an environment where attacker-controlled content can be executed within the context of a victim's browser session, potentially allowing for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The reflected nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious script payload is embedded in a URL and delivered through a web application's response rather than being stored on the server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities such as stealing administrator cookies, modifying website content, redirecting users to phishing sites, or even executing arbitrary commands if the attacker can leverage additional vulnerabilities. In a WordPress environment, this could lead to complete compromise of the site's administrative capabilities and potentially affect multiple users who interact with the vulnerable plugin. The vulnerability's accessibility to unauthenticated attackers significantly increases its threat level as no prior credentials or privileged access are required to exploit it.
Security professionals should prioritize patching affected installations immediately, as the vulnerability allows for immediate exploitation without user interaction beyond visiting a malicious link. Organizations should implement input validation measures at multiple layers including web application firewalls and proper output encoding practices. The flaw aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1566 related to credential access through social engineering. Recommended mitigations include updating to the latest plugin version, implementing strict content security policies, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also establish monitoring for suspicious user activities and implement proper web application security controls to prevent similar issues in other applications within their infrastructure.