CVE-2022-4950
Published: 07 June 2023
Summary
CVE-2022-4950 is a high-severity Missing Authorization (CWE-862) vulnerability in Coolplugins Cool Timeline. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, ranked in the top 9.2% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis
Several WordPress plugins developed by Cool Plugins are affected by a missing authorization vulnerability that permits arbitrary plugin installation and activation. The flaw, tracked as CVE-2022-4950 with a CVSS score of 8.8 and categorized under CWE-862, allows remote code execution once an attacker-controlled plugin is activated.
Authenticated users with low-privilege accounts, such as subscribers, can exploit the issue over the network without user interaction. Successful exploitation grants the attacker the ability to install and activate arbitrary plugins, resulting in full control over the WordPress site including code execution.
Public advisories from Wordfence and Nintechnet report that the affected plugins were updated to address the authorization bypass. Plugin maintainers applied fixes in changesets such as the one for cool-timeline, and administrators are advised to install the latest versions of the impacted Cool Plugins components.
The associated EPSS score has remained flat at 0.0590 with no material increase observed after disclosure.
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2022-52203
Vulnerability details
Several WordPress plugins developed by Cool Plugins are vulnerable to arbitrary plugin installation and activation that can lead to remote code execution by authenticated attackers with minimal permissions, such as a subscriber.
- 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.