CVE-2022-0199 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

The Coming soon and Maintenance mode WordPress plugin before version 3.6.8 is vulnerable to a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attack that allows attackers to send arbitrary emails to subscribed users.

Understanding CVE-2022-0199

This vulnerability in the Coming soon and Maintenance mode plugin can be exploited by attackers to send malicious emails using the coming_soon_send_mail AJAX action.

What is CVE-2022-0199?

The vulnerability in Coming soon and Maintenance mode plugin before version 3.6.8 allows logged-in admins to send arbitrary emails to all subscribed users using a CSRF attack.

The Impact of CVE-2022-0199

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to send unauthorized emails to all subscribed users, potentially leading to phishing attacks or spreading malware.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-0199

The following technical details outline the vulnerability further:

Vulnerability Description

The CSRF vulnerability in the Coming soon and Maintenance mode plugin allows attackers to send unauthorized emails by bypassing the CSRF check in the coming_soon_send_mail AJAX action.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected version of the Coming soon and Maintenance mode plugin is any version before 3.6.8.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by making a logged-in admin trigger the coming_soon_send_mail action to send arbitrary emails to all subscribed users.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-0199, consider implementing the following measures:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Coming soon and Maintenance mode plugin to version 3.6.8 or newer to patch the CSRF vulnerability.
Monitor email communications for any unauthorized or suspicious emails.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to the latest versions to ensure security patches are in place.
Educate users on identifying and reporting potential phishing emails.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the Coming soon and Maintenance mode plugin is regularly updated to the latest version to prevent CSRF attacks and other security vulnerabilities.