CVE-2022-4948 in FlyingPress Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2023
The FlyingPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to a missing capability check on its AJAX actions in versions up to, and including, 3.9.6. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level permissions and above, to interact with the plugin in ways administrators are intended to. One action (save_config) allows for the configuration of an external CDN. This could be used to include malicious javascript from a source controlled by the attacker.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The FlyingPress plugin for WordPress presents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the security model of the platform through a fundamental missing capability check. This vulnerability affects versions up to and including 3.9.6, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers who possess subscriber-level permissions or higher to execute actions that should be restricted to administrators only. The flaw specifically manifests within the plugin's AJAX handling mechanisms where proper access controls are not enforced, allowing unauthorized users to leverage legitimate plugin functionality for malicious purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege validation within the plugin's AJAX action handlers. When an authenticated user accesses certain endpoints through AJAX requests, the system fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the appropriate administrative capabilities required to perform the specific action. This missing capability check represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates poor access control implementation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to perform administrative functions through legitimate plugin interfaces that were never intended to be accessible to users with limited permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it provides attackers with the ability to modify critical plugin configurations that can have far-reaching consequences for website security. The specific vulnerable action save_config allows for the configuration of external CDN settings, which represents a significant attack vector. When an attacker can manipulate CDN configurations, they gain the capability to inject malicious javascript code from external sources they control, effectively compromising the entire website and potentially all users of the platform. This attack vector aligns with common exploitation patterns described in the attack technique matrix under technique T1566 for credential harvesting and T1583 for tool development, as it enables the deployment of malicious code through legitimate plugin interfaces.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly severe given that it affects a widely used WordPress plugin and leverages the trust model inherent in legitimate plugin functionality. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to establish persistent backdoors, redirect traffic to malicious servers, or inject malware into the website's content delivery chain. The fact that this vulnerability affects authenticated users means that attackers can potentially compromise websites through social engineering or by obtaining credentials from lower-privilege accounts. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 Access Control Issues, which specifically addresses improper access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized access to resources or functionality.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability checks, as well as implementing additional security measures such as restricting AJAX access through firewall rules or content delivery network configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual CDN configuration changes and establish proper access control policies that limit which users can modify plugin settings. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and access control implementation in web applications, as highlighted by industry standards that emphasize the need for robust privilege management and capability verification in all user interactions with system functionality.