CVE-2022-34656 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WordPress Poll, Survey, Questionnaire and Voting system plugin <= 1.7.4 has been identified with an authenticated Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts.

Understanding CVE-2022-34656

This CVE pertains to an XSS vulnerability in the wpdevart Poll, Survey, Questionnaire and Voting system plugin version <= 1.7.4 for WordPress.

What is CVE-2022-34656?

The CVE-2022-34656 vulnerability involves an authenticated Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) exploit in the WordPress plugin, enabling threat actors with admin access to inject and execute malicious scripts.

The Impact of CVE-2022-34656

With a CVSS base score of 4.8 (Medium severity), this vulnerability could potentially lead to unauthorized script execution, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of the affected system.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-34656

This section provides insight into the nature of the vulnerability, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The authenticated XSS flaw in wpdevart Poll, Survey, Questionnaire and Voting system plugin <= 1.7.4 enables attackers with admin privileges to insert malicious scripts, posing a security risk to the WordPress environment.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts versions of the Poll, Survey, Questionnaire and Voting system plugin up to and including 1.7.4 for WordPress.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability requires admin-level access to WordPress, allowing threat actors to inject and execute arbitrary scripts within the platform.

Mitigation and Prevention

Effective measures to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-34656 include immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the wpdevart Poll, Survey, Questionnaire and Voting system plugin to a secure version immediately.
Regularly monitor and audit for unauthorized script injections or suspicious activities within the WordPress environment.

Long-Term Security Practices

Employ strict access controls and user permissions to limit admin privileges and reduce the attack surface.
Stay informed about security best practices and upcoming patches to address vulnerabilities promptly.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant with plugin updates and security patches to ensure that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly and the WordPress environment remains secure.