CVE-2022-1990 : What You Need to Know

The Nested Pages WordPress plugin before version 3.1.21 is affected by a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability, potentially allowing high privilege users to execute malicious scripts.

Understanding CVE-2022-1990

This CVE refers to a security issue in the Nested Pages WordPress plugin that can be exploited by attackers to execute stored cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2022-1990?

The Nested Pages WordPress plugin version < 3.1.21 lacks proper escaping and sanitization of certain settings, enabling users with high privileges to perform stored cross-site scripting attacks, particularly when unfiltered_html is restricted.

The Impact of CVE-2022-1990

The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized script execution on affected sites and potentially compromise sensitive information or facilitate further attacks.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-1990

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Nested Pages arises from inadequate input validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that would be executed within the context of a privileged user.

Affected Systems and Versions

Nested Pages plugin versions earlier than 3.1.21 are vulnerable to this exploit, potentially impacting websites utilizing these outdated versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the lack of input sanitization, threat actors can embed malicious scripts into certain settings within the plugin, taking advantage of the high privilege level to execute unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators are advised to update the Nested Pages plugin to version 3.1.21 or later to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, restricting access to high privilege accounts can minimize the impact of potential attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing strict input validation and output encoding practices within plugins can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future. Regular security audits and monitoring can also aid in detecting and addressing potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Developers should prioritize addressing security vulnerabilities promptly by releasing patches and updates to ensure the protection of user data and the integrity of WordPress websites.