CVE-2022-28221 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A detailed overview of the CVE-2022-28221 vulnerability in CleanTalk AntiSpam plugin for WordPress.

Understanding CVE-2022-28221

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in the CleanTalk AntiSpam plugin for WordPress, allowing Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

What is CVE-2022-28221?

The CleanTalk AntiSpam plugin version <= 5.173 for WordPress is susceptible to XSS via the $_REQUEST['page'] parameter in

/lib/Cleantalk/ApbctWP/FindSpam/ListTable/Comments.php

.

The Impact of CVE-2022-28221

The vulnerability can be exploited to execute malicious scripts in the context of the user's browser, leading to potential data theft, phishing, or other harmful activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-28221

Here are the specific technical details regarding CVE-2022-28221:

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises due to inadequate input validation in the mentioned parameter, enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code.

Affected Systems and Versions

CleanTalk AntiSpam plugin version <= 5.173 for WordPress is confirmed to be impacted by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can craft a malicious URL containing the payload and trick a user into clicking it, thus triggering the XSS attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems against CVE-2022-28221, the following measures can be implemented:

Immediate Steps to Take

Temporarily disable or uninstall the affected plugin.
Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from the plugin vendor.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user input data.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on untrusted links.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates released by CleanTalk promptly to address the vulnerability and enhance the security posture of your WordPress site.