CVE-2022-1329
Published: 19 April 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-1329 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Elementor Website Builder. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 0.2% 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 Elementor Website Builder plugin for WordPress contains a missing capability check in the onboarding module at core/app/modules/onboarding/module.php. This flaw affects versions 3.6.0 through 3.6.2 and permits unauthorized execution of multiple AJAX actions. The issue is tracked under CWE-862 and CWE-434 and carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8.
An authenticated attacker with low-privileged WordPress access can invoke the unprotected AJAX endpoints to alter site configuration and upload arbitrary files. Successful exploitation yields remote code execution on the underlying web server.
Public advisories and the vendor patchset at plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2708766 recommend immediate upgrade beyond version 3.6.2. Wordfence and Plugin Vulnerabilities both published technical write-ups confirming that the capability checks were added in the subsequent release to block the affected onboarding routes.
PacketStorm has published working exploit code demonstrating unauthenticated-to-RCE chains against the vulnerable plugin, and the CVE maintains an EPSS score above 0.93, indicating sustained exploitation interest.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-24657
Vulnerability details
The Elementor Website Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized execution of several AJAX actions due to a missing capability check in the ~/core/app/modules/onboarding/module.php file that make it possible for attackers to modify site data in addition to uploading…
more
malicious files that can be used to obtain remote code execution, in versions 3.6.0 to 3.6.2.
- 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.
Eliminates missing authorization for writes by requiring physical/hardware action under controlled procedures.
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.