CVE-2022-2444 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2022-2444, a vulnerability in the Visualizer: Tables and Charts Manager for WordPress plugin.

Understanding CVE-2022-2444

This CVE involves deserialization of untrusted input in the WordPress plugin Visualizer: Tables and Charts Manager, allowing authenticated attackers with contributor privileges to execute malicious actions.

What is CVE-2022-2444?

The Visualizer plugin for WordPress is susceptible to deserialization of untrusted input through the 'remote_data' parameter in versions up to and including 3.7.9. Attackers can exploit this by uploading a file with a serialized payload to execute arbitrary PHP objects, provided a POP chain is in place.

The Impact of CVE-2022-2444

This vulnerability poses a high risk, with a CVSS base score of 8.8 (High severity). Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious actions by deserializing untrusted data.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-2444

In-depth technical details about the vulnerability include:

Vulnerability Description

The issue stems from improper handling of user-input data in the 'remote_data' parameter, leading to deserialization vulnerabilities.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Visualizer: Tables and Charts Manager for WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 3.7.9.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an authenticated attacker with contributor privileges or higher needs to upload a file containing a serialized payload using a PHAR wrapper.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-2444, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Visualizer plugin to version 3.7.10 or higher to patch the vulnerability.
Monitor file uploads and restrict file types to prevent malicious uploads.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and update plugins and themes to maintain a secure WordPress environment.
Educate users on secure upload practices to prevent exploitation of deserialization vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and promptly apply patches to protect against known vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.