CVE-2022-38971 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been discovered in the WordPress BuddyForms Plugin version <= 2.7.5. This CVE-2022-38971 poses a risk of stored XSS attacks in affected systems. Learn more about the impact, technical details, and mitigation techniques related to this vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2022-38971

WordPress BuddyForms Plugin version <= 2.7.5 is vulnerable to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, allowing threat actors to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

What is CVE-2022-38971?

CVE-2022-38971 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the ThemeKraft Post Form – Registration Form – Profile Form for User Profiles and Content Forms for User Submissions plugin version <= 2.7.5. This security flaw can be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in a victim's browser.

The Impact of CVE-2022-38971

The impact of CVE-2022-38971 includes the potential for stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks, which could lead to unauthorized access, data theft, and compromise of user interactions on the affected WordPress websites.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-38971

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation ('Cross-Site Scripting'). Attackers can exploit this flaw to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

Affected Systems and Versions

WordPress BuddyForms Plugin version <= 2.7.5 is affected by this XSS vulnerability. Systems using this plugin are at risk of exploitation by malicious actors.

Exploitation Mechanism

Threat actors can exploit this vulnerability by injecting specially crafted scripts into user-generated content, such as form fields, comments, or profile information, which are stored and later executed when accessed by other users.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

To mitigate the risk associated with CVE-2022-38971, users are advised to update the ThemeKraft Post Form – Registration Form – Profile Form for User Profiles and Content Forms for User Submissions plugin to version 2.7.6 or higher.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to immediate patching, it is recommended to regularly update all installed plugins and themes, perform security audits, monitor for unusual activities, and educate users on best security practices.

Patching and Updates

The recommended solution to address CVE-2022-38971 is to update the affected plugin to version 2.7.6 or a newer release. Regularly check for security updates and apply patches promptly to safeguard your WordPress website against known vulnerabilities.