CVE-2022-2170 : What You Need to Know

This article provides insights into CVE-2022-2170, a vulnerability in the Microsoft Advertising Universal Event Tracking (UET) WordPress plugin before version 1.0.4, allowing for stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2022-2170

CVE-2022-2170 is a security vulnerability impacting the Microsoft Advertising Universal Event Tracking (UET) WordPress plugin, enabling high privilege users to execute Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2022-2170?

The Microsoft Advertising Universal Event Tracking (UET) WordPress plugin before version 1.0.4 fails to properly sanitize and escape its settings, leading to potential Cross-Site Scripting exploits by privileged users, including admins, even if unfiltered_html capability is restricted.

The Impact of CVE-2022-2170

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to inject malicious scripts into the plugin's settings, potentially compromising user data or performing unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-2170

CVE ID: CVE-2022-2170 Vendor: Unknown Affected Version: < 1.0.4 Vulnerability Type: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of proper sanitization in the plugin's settings, enabling privileged users to insert malicious scripts, leading to XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Microsoft Advertising Universal Event Tracking (UET) WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.0.4 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting this vulnerability, high privilege users such as admins can inject malicious scripts into the plugin's settings, triggering XSS attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-2170, users are advised to take immediate action and adopt long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Microsoft Advertising Universal Event Tracking (UET) WordPress plugin to version 1.0.4 or newer.
Monitor plugin settings for any unauthorized changes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and WordPress installations to the latest secure versions.
Implement strict user role permissions to prevent unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from the plugin vendor and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.