CVE-2022-3246 is a high-severity SQL Injection vulnerability (CWE-89) found in the WordPress plugin 'Blog2Social: Social Media Auto Post & Scheduler' versions prior to 6.9.10. This plugin automates social media posting and scheduling for WordPress sites. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. Specifically, an authenticated user with low privileges, such as a subscriber, can exploit this flaw to inject malicious SQL code. This can lead to unauthorized data access, modification, or deletion within the WordPress database. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, and no user interaction required beyond authentication. The scope is unchanged, meaning the impact is confined to the vulnerable component but affects confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C, I, A) of the data. Although exploitation requires authentication, the low privilege level needed significantly broadens the attack surface. No known public exploits have been reported yet, but the presence of this vulnerability in a widely used plugin makes it a prime target for attackers aiming to compromise WordPress sites, steal sensitive data, or pivot to further attacks within the hosting environment. The vulnerability was published on October 25, 2022, and fixed in version 6.9.10 of the plugin.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially for those relying on WordPress sites with the Blog2Social plugin installed. Exploitation can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, data tampering, or site defacement, impacting business reputation and compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR. The ability for low-privileged users to exploit the vulnerability increases the risk from insider threats or compromised user accounts. Additionally, attackers could leverage the SQL injection to escalate privileges or deploy malware, potentially disrupting business operations or causing data loss. Given the widespread use of WordPress across European businesses, including SMEs and large enterprises, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of sectors, including media, retail, and professional services. The potential for data breaches also raises legal and financial consequences under European data protection laws.

Organizations should immediately verify the version of the Blog2Social plugin installed on their WordPress sites and upgrade to version 6.9.10 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. If immediate upgrade is not feasible, restrict plugin access to trusted users only and review user roles to minimize the number of users with authenticated access. Implement Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting this plugin. Conduct thorough audits of user accounts to detect any suspicious activity or privilege escalations. Regularly back up WordPress databases and files to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. Additionally, monitor logs for unusual SQL queries or errors that could indicate exploitation attempts. Educate site administrators and users about the risks of SQL injection and the importance of applying security updates promptly. Finally, consider isolating WordPress instances in segmented network zones to limit lateral movement if an attack occurs.