CVE-2022-0218
Published: 04 February 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-0218 is a high-severity Cross-site Scripting (CWE-79) vulnerability in Codemiq Wordpress Email Template Designer. Its CVSS base score is 8.3 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 2.1% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog; a public proof-of-concept is referenced.
Deeper analysis
The WP HTML Mail WordPress plugin, in versions up to and including 3.0.9, contains a missing capability check on the /themesettings REST-API endpoint implemented in the includes/class-template-designer.php file. This flaw permits unauthenticated callers to retrieve and alter theme settings, corresponding to CWE-862 and enabling subsequent injection that maps to CWE-79. The issue carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.3 with network attack vector, no required privileges or user interaction, and changed scope.
An unauthenticated attacker can invoke the unprotected endpoint to modify template settings and thereby insert arbitrary JavaScript that executes in the context of site visitors or administrators, achieving stored cross-site scripting without any prior authentication.
Public advisories and the referenced plugin changeset 2656984 document the addition of the required permission checks; the Wordfence analysis confirms the patch closes the unauthenticated access path that led to the XSS vector.
EPSS for the CVE rose from a low baseline to a peak of 0.6905 with a current value of 0.5035, indicating that exploitation interest increased after disclosure and that the vulnerability merits renewed attention.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-15420
Vulnerability details
The WP HTML Mail WordPress plugin is vulnerable to unauthorized access which allows unauthenticated attackers to retrieve and modify theme settings due to a missing capability check on the /themesettings REST-API endpoint found in the ~/includes/class-template-designer.php file, in versions up…
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to and including 3.0.9. This makes it possible for attackers with no privileges to execute the endpoint and add malicious JavaScript to a vulnerable WordPress site.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
No named actor attribution yet. ATT&CK technique mapping in progress for this CVE.
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Requiring an access control policy ensures authorization checks are defined and applied for critical functions.
Reviews of access controls detect missing authorization checks on critical functions or resources.
Documenting permitted unauthenticated actions prevents missing authorization by making all exceptions explicit and subject to organizational review.
Requiring attribute association with information prevents authorization from being performed without necessary security or privacy context.
Mandating authorization prior to allowing remote connections addresses missing authorization for remote access.
Mandating authorization before wireless connections are allowed prevents missing authorization for wireless access.
The control requires authorization before allowing mobile device connections, directly mitigating missing authorization for system access.
Requiring approvals for account creation and specifying authorizations ensures authorization is not missing for system access.