CVE-2022-1995 : What You Need to Know

A detailed analysis of the vulnerability found in miniOrange's Malware Scanner plugin version less than 4.5.2 allowing for stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2022-1995

This CVE pertains to a security vulnerability in the Malware Scanner WordPress plugin, version less than 4.5.2, that can be exploited by malicious users to execute Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2022-1995?

The Malware Scanner WordPress plugin before version 4.5.2 fails to properly sanitize and escape some of its settings. This oversight enables attackers with administrator privileges to store malicious JavaScript code, leading to Cross-Site Scripting attacks, especially in scenarios where unfiltered_html is disallowed (e.g., multisite setups).

The Impact of CVE-2022-1995

This vulnerability could allow an authenticated attacker with administrator roles to inject malicious scripts into the plugin settings, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data theft, and other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-1995

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the plugin's failure to sanitize certain settings properly, enabling attackers to inject harmful scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Malware Scanner
Vendor: Unknown
Versions Affected: < 4.5.2 (specifically version 4.5.2 custom)

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, attackers with administrator privileges can store and execute malicious JavaScript code, leading to Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2022-1995, immediate steps should be taken to address the vulnerability and prevent its exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Malware Scanner plugin to version 4.5.2 or higher to patch the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor and audit plugin settings for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Educate users with administrator privileges on secure coding practices and the risks of XSS attacks.
Employ security plugins or tools to scan for vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for the Malware Scanner plugin and promptly apply patches to protect against potential exploits.