CVE-2022-0254 – This vulnerability allows attackers to perform ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-0254?

CVE-2022-0254 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). This vulnerability allows attackers to perform SQL injection attacks on WordPress sites using the Zero Spam plugin before version 5.2.11. Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands through unsanitized order and orderby parameters in the admin dashboard. This affects WordPress administrators with the vulnerable plugin installed.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability allows attackers to perform SQL injection attacks on WordPress sites using the Zero Spam plugin before version 5.2.11. Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL commands through unsanitized order and orderby parameters in the admin dashboard. This affects WordPress administrators with the vulnerable plugin installed.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

WordPress Zero Spam plugin

Versions: All versions before 5.2.11

Operating Systems: All

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires admin dashboard access; affects WordPress installations with the vulnerable plugin.

📦 What is this software?

Zero Spam by Highfivery

View all CVEs affecting Zero Spam →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete database compromise allowing data theft, modification, or deletion, and potential remote code execution through database functions.

🟠

Likely Case

Unauthorized data access, privilege escalation, or site defacement through SQL injection.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper input validation, parameterized queries, and database permissions in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires admin access; SQL injection is well-documented and easily weaponized.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 5.2.11

Vendor Advisory: https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2680906

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin. 2. Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Zero Spam plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 5.2.11+ from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Zero Spam Plugin

all

Temporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched.

wp plugin deactivate zero-spam

Restrict Admin Access

all

Limit admin dashboard access to trusted IP addresses only.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns
Remove admin privileges from untrusted users and enforce strong authentication

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Zero Spam version below 5.2.11.

Check Version:

wp plugin get zero-spam --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm Zero Spam plugin version is 5.2.11 or higher in WordPress admin.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual SQL queries in database logs
Multiple failed login attempts to admin dashboard
Suspicious order/orderby parameters in web server logs

Network Indicators:

SQL error messages in HTTP responses
Unusual database connection patterns from web server

SIEM Query:

source="web_server" AND ("order=" OR "orderby=") AND ("SELECT", "UNION", "OR 1=1")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-0254

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-89

Published: March 14, 2022

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2660225 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2680906 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/ae54681f-7b89-408c-b0ee-ba4a520db997 Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2660225 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2680906 Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/ae54681f-7b89-408c-b0ee-ba4a520db997 Exploit,Third Party Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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