CVE-2022-41785 : What You Need to Know

WordPress Photo Gallery – Image Gallery by Ape Plugin <= 2.2.8 is vulnerable to Cross Site Scripting (XSS)

Understanding CVE-2022-41785

This CVE identifies a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability in the Gallery Images Ape plugin version 2.2.8 and below for WordPress, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts.

What is CVE-2022-41785?

CVE-2022-41785 points out a security flaw in the Gallery Images Ape plugin that permits unauthorized contributors to store malicious scripts on affected websites, leading to potential cross-site scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2022-41785

The impact of this CVE is categorized as 'MEDIUM' severity with a CVSS score of 5.4 under CAPEC-592 Stored XSS. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to inject harmful scripts and compromise user data on the vulnerable WordPress sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-41785

In-depth details about the vulnerability, affected systems, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is due to improper neutralization of input during web page generation, leading to a Stored Cross-Site Scripting issue in Gallery Images Ape plugin versions 2.2.8 and earlier.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all WordPress websites using Gallery Images Ape plugin with versions less than or equal to 2.2.8.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers, especially contributors or above, can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts through manipulated image or file uploads, impacting the website's integrity and users' confidentiality.

Mitigation and Prevention

Guidelines to mitigate the risk and prevent future vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Gallery Images Ape plugin to version 2.2.9 or higher to patch the vulnerability and prevent XSS attacks.
Regularly monitor for any suspicious activities or unauthorized changes on the website.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement input validation mechanisms to sanitize user inputs and prevent script injections.
Educate users about safe uploading practices and the risks associated with executing unauthorized scripts.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by plugin developers and apply them promptly to ensure your website's security.