CVE-2022-1598
Published: 08 June 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-1598 is a medium-severity Missing Authentication for Critical Function (CWE-306) vulnerability in 2Code Wpqa Builder. Its CVSS base score is 5.3 (Medium).
Operationally, ranked in the top 3.1% 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 WPQA Builder WordPress plugin before version 5.5, a companion component to the Discy and Himer themes, contains an authentication flaw tracked as CVE-2022-1598 and CWE-306. The vulnerability stems from missing access controls on a REST API endpoint, which exposes private question data exchanged between site users. It carries a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.3 reflecting network attack vector, low complexity, and no required privileges or user interaction, resulting in limited confidentiality impact.
Unauthenticated attackers can directly query the affected endpoint to retrieve private questions that would otherwise remain restricted to the intended recipients. This allows any remote party to enumerate and read sensitive user-to-user communications without authentication.
The EPSS score for the issue reached a peak and current value of 0.3157, indicating moderate exploitation interest after public disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-24887
Vulnerability details
The WPQA Builder WordPress plugin before 5.5 which is a companion to the Discy and Himer , lacks authentication in a REST API endpoint, allowing unauthenticated users to discover private questions sent between users on the 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.
Requires established identification and authentication to unlock, mitigating missing authentication for continued system access.
Requiring identification and rationale for actions allowed without authentication ensures critical functions are not left unprotected by forcing review of authentication requirements.
Authorizing mobile device connections to organizational systems ensures authentication is performed for this critical access function.
Guarantees critical functions are protected by mandatory invocation of the access control mechanism.
Auditing sessions makes it possible to detect access to critical functions without required authentication.
The assessment process confirms authentication is present and effective for critical functions, preventing exploitation from missing authentication.
Certification assesses that critical functions have required authentication controls in place.
Disabling non-essential functions and services eliminates the need to secure them, reducing exposure from missing authentication on unnecessary components.