CVE-2022-2594 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting versions of the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) WordPress plugin prior to 5.12.3. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated users to upload files permitted by a default WordPress configuration, provided there is an available frontend form. Introduced in the 5.0 rewrite of the plugin, this issue poses a significant risk to WordPress sites using ACF without the latest updates.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 8.8, indicating a high severity level. The attack vector is classified as NETWORK, with low complexity and no privileges required, meaning that attackers may exploit this vulnerability with relative ease if a frontend form is exposed. The potential impacts include high confidentiality, integrity, and availability risks.
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized file uploads that could lead to further exploitation of the server or application. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate this vulnerability.
Currently, there are confirmed public exploits available for this vulnerability, and it is crucial for security teams to monitor for any signs of exploitation in the wild.
Organizations using the Advanced Custom Fields plugin should update to version 5.12.3 or later as part of their immediate response plan.
Vulnerability Details
The Advanced Custom Fields WordPress plugin before 5.12.3, Advanced Custom Fields Pro WordPress plugin before 5.12.3 allows unauthenticated users to upload files allowed in a default WP configuration (so PHP is not possible) if there is a frontend form available. This vulnerability was introduced in the 5.0 rewrite and did not exist prior to that release.
The CVSS score for CVE-2022-2594 is 8.8, indicating a high severity level. This high score is attributed to the potential for attackers to exploit this vulnerability with low effort and without requiring any user authentication. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts are all rated as high, underscoring the critical nature of this issue.
The affected products include all versions of the Advanced Custom Fields plugin ranging from version 5.0.0 to versions prior to 5.12.3. This encompasses both the standard and Pro versions of the plugin.
This vulnerability was disclosed on August 22, 2022, and the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification is CWE-434, which pertains to the unauthorized upload of files.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies within the way the Advanced Custom Fields plugin handles file uploads. The frontend forms allow unauthenticated users to upload files, which could potentially include malicious content, even though PHP file uploads are not permitted due to default WordPress configurations.
The attack vector is network-based, and the attack complexity is low, meaning that an attacker can exploit this vulnerability easily without sophisticated techniques. No privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, and user interaction is needed since the attacker must submit a form on the frontend.
The impacts of this vulnerability are substantial: it can lead to unauthorized file uploads, which may compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to gain further access within the environment or disrupt services.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The potential risks associated with CVE-2022-2594 are significant. Organizations utilizing the Advanced Custom Fields plugin could be exposed to unauthorized file uploads, leading to data leaks, system compromises, and potential full server takeovers if further vulnerabilities are exploited.
Given the nature of this vulnerability and its high CVSS score of 8.8, organizations must take this threat seriously. The blast radius is considerable, particularly for sites that do not have additional security measures in place to monitor or limit file uploads. This vulnerability's urgency is underscored by its potential for exploitation in the wild.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-2594 and should also consider implementing additional security controls, such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) and monitoring for malicious file uploads.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The vulnerable versions of the Advanced Custom Fields plugin include all versions from 5.0.0 to 5.12.2. Users are strongly urged to upgrade to version 5.12.3 or later to remediate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-2594, organizations should upgrade to the latest version of the Advanced Custom Fields plugin, specifically version 5.12.3 or later. If upgrading is not feasible, organizations should consider implementing workarounds such as disabling frontend file uploads or restricting access to affected forms.
In addition to patching, organizations may enhance their security posture by applying configuration hardening, including limiting file types that can be uploaded and implementing network controls to restrict file upload capabilities.
Monitoring for unusual activities, such as unexpected file uploads, is also recommended to detect potential exploitation attempts.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for indicators of unauthorized file uploads and review the behavior of forms that allow file uploads. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected file types or sizes, should trigger alerts for further investigation.
Network signatures that identify abnormal upload patterns can also aid in detecting potential exploitation of this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2022-2594 highlights the ongoing risks associated with file upload vulnerabilities in web applications. This pattern reflects a common trend where unsecured file upload functionality can become a gateway for broader attacks.
Security teams should learn from this incident by reinforcing validation controls around file uploads and considering the implementation of solutions that automatically scan uploaded files for potential threats.
For deeper insights into vulnerability management, organizations can refer to the resources available on the importance of a robust remediation strategy and proactive measures for safeguarding against similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Organizations should consider utilizing penetration testing to evaluate their security posture and identify similar weaknesses.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)