CVE-2022-3539 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

WordPress plugins Testimonials (Free < 2.7, Pro < 1.0.8) - Admin+ Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2022-3539

This CVE refers to a security issue found in the Testimonials WordPress plugin before version 2.7 and the super-testimonial-pro WordPress plugin before version 1.0.8. The vulnerability allows high privilege users, such as admins, to execute cross-site scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2022-3539?

The Testimonials and Testimonial Pro plugins fail to properly sanitize and escape their settings, enabling admin users to carry out cross-site scripting attacks, even when unfiltered_html capability is restricted.

The Impact of CVE-2022-3539

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with admin privileges to inject malicious scripts into website content, potentially leading to unauthorized actions, data theft, or manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-3539

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the lack of sanitization and escaping of settings in the affected WordPress plugins, allowing users with admin access to execute XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Unknown
Affected Products: Testimonials, Testimonial Pro
Testimonials: Version < 2.7
Testimonial Pro: Version < 1.0.8

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by high privilege users manipulating settings to inject malicious scripts into the website, potentially affecting site visitors.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or remove the affected plugins immediately if a fix or patch is unavailable.
Monitor website activities for any signs of suspicious behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins, themes, and WordPress core to the latest versions.
Implement strong password policies and user access controls.

Patching and Updates

Check for security updates provided by the plugin developers and apply them promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.