CVE-2022-2473 : Security Advisory and Response

A Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the WP-UserOnline plugin for WordPress could allow authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts, affecting versions up to 2.87.6.

Understanding CVE-2022-2473

This CVE highlights a security flaw in the WP-UserOnline plugin for WordPress that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts on vulnerable websites.

What is CVE-2022-2473?

The vulnerability in WP-UserOnline up to version 2.87.6 allows authenticated attackers with administrative capabilities to insert arbitrary web scripts via a specific parameter, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting.

The Impact of CVE-2022-2473

The security issue could be exploited in multi-site installations and environments where unfiltered_html is disabled, potentially resulting in unauthorized script execution on users' browsers.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-2473

This section delves deeper into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw arises from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the 'templates[browsingpage][text]' parameter of WP-UserOnline plugin versions up to 2.87.6, granting attackers the ability to inject and execute malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

WP-UserOnline versions up to 2.87.6 are impacted by this vulnerability, particularly in scenarios where users have administrative privileges.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the vulnerability via the provided parameter, attackers can inject harmful web scripts that execute whenever a user accesses a tampered page.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your systems from this risk, consider the following measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Administrators should promptly update the WP-UserOnline plugin to the latest version to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, it's advisable to review user permissions and disable unnecessary privileges.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strict input validation mechanisms, conduct regular security audits, and educate users on safe browsing practices to prevent similar exploits in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches released by the plugin vendor and promptly apply updates to ensure your system is protected against emerging threats.