CVE-2022-1903
Published: 27 June 2022
Summary
CVE-2022-1903 is a high-severity Missing Authorization (CWE-862) vulnerability in Armemberplugin Armember. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 1.0% 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 ARMember WordPress plugin before version 3.4.8 is affected by an authorization vulnerability tracked as CVE-2022-1903 and assigned CWE-862. The flaw stems from missing nonce and capability checks on an AJAX action that is reachable by unauthenticated visitors, enabling an attacker to alter the password of any user account when the username is known.
An unauthenticated attacker can therefore perform account takeover against arbitrary users, including site administrators, by invoking the unprotected AJAX endpoint with a chosen username and new password. The issue carries a CVSS 3.1 score of 8.1, reflecting network attack vector, high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, and the requirement for no user interaction.
WPScan advisories for this vulnerability recommend updating the ARMember plugin to version 3.4.8 or later to close the exposed AJAX action. The associated EPSS score has reached a peak of 0.8265 with a current value of 0.7829, indicating sustained exploitation interest after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-25175
Vulnerability details
The ARMember WordPress plugin before 3.4.8 is vulnerable to account takeover (even the administrator) due to missing nonce and authorization checks in an AJAX action available to unauthenticated users, allowing them to change the password of arbitrary users by knowing…
more
their username
- 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.