CVE-2022-41136 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

WordPress Shortcodes Ultimate plugin <= 5.12.0 - CSRF vulnerability leading to Stored XSS

Understanding CVE-2022-41136

A Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Vladimir Anokhin's Shortcodes Ultimate plugin <= 5.12.0 on WordPress allows for Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attacks.

What is CVE-2022-41136?

CVE-2022-41136 is a security vulnerability in the Shortcodes Ultimate WordPress plugin <= 5.12.0, discovered by Dave Jong from Patchstack. It involves a CSRF issue that can lead to Stored XSS attacks, impacting the security of WordPress websites.

The Impact of CVE-2022-41136

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to execute malicious scripts in the context of an authenticated user, potentially leading to account takeover, data theft, or unauthorized actions on the affected WordPress site. It poses a risk to the confidentiality and integrity of user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-41136

The following technical details outline the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The CSRF vulnerability in the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin <= 5.12.0 allows for unauthorized commands to be executed in the WordPress environment, leading to Stored XSS attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Vladimir Anokhin
Product: Shortcodes Ultimate (WordPress plugin)
Versions Affected: <= 5.12.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can craft a malicious link that, when clicked by an authenticated user, triggers unauthorized actions due to insufficient CSRF protection, resulting in Stored XSS.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard your WordPress site from CVE-2022-41136, follow these mitigation strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Shortcodes Ultimate plugin to version 5.12.1 or higher to patch the vulnerability and prevent CSRF attacks leading to Stored XSS.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and themes to their latest versions to mitigate known vulnerabilities and enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories related to WordPress plugins and apply patches promptly to address potential vulnerabilities and protect your website from exploitation.