CVE-2022-3677 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin "Advanced Import: One Click Import for WordPress or Theme Demo Data" prior to version 1.3.8. This plugin facilitates the import of demo content and themes, streamlining site setup. The vulnerability arises because the plugin lacks proper CSRF protections when performing critical actions such as installing and activating plugins. Specifically, an attacker can craft a malicious web request that, when visited by an authenticated WordPress administrator, triggers the installation of arbitrary plugins from the official WordPress.org repository and activates arbitrary plugins on the victim's site without their consent. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.5 (medium severity), reflecting that the attack vector is network-based, requires no privileges, but does require user interaction (the admin must visit a malicious link). The vulnerability impacts the integrity of the WordPress site by allowing unauthorized plugin installation and activation, which can lead to further compromise, including privilege escalation, data manipulation, or persistent backdoors. No known exploits have been reported in the wild, and no official patches are linked, but upgrading to version 1.3.8 or later is implied as a remediation step. The vulnerability is notable because it targets administrative functions without requiring authentication bypass, relying instead on CSRF to trick authenticated admins into executing unintended actions. This weakness can be exploited remotely via social engineering or malicious links, making it a significant risk for WordPress sites using this plugin, especially those with multiple administrators or less security-aware users.

For European organizations, especially those relying on WordPress for their public-facing websites or intranet portals, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized installation and activation of plugins, which may introduce malicious code, backdoors, or disrupt website functionality. This can compromise the integrity of the website content, potentially damage brand reputation, and expose sensitive data if further exploitation occurs. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe across sectors such as e-commerce, media, education, and government, the vulnerability could facilitate targeted attacks against organizations with valuable digital assets or customer data. Additionally, compromised websites could be leveraged to distribute malware or conduct phishing campaigns, amplifying the threat. The requirement for an authenticated admin to interact with a malicious link somewhat limits the attack scope but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with multiple administrators or less stringent user training. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited active targeting but does not preclude opportunistic attacks. Organizations with high-value web assets or regulatory obligations (e.g., GDPR compliance) should consider this vulnerability a significant concern.

1. Immediate upgrade of the Advanced Import plugin to version 1.3.8 or later, where CSRF protections have been implemented, is the primary mitigation step. 2. Implement strict administrative user training to recognize and avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially those received via email or external sources. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious POST requests targeting plugin installation or activation endpoints. 4. Limit the number of users with administrative privileges to reduce the attack surface and enforce the principle of least privilege. 5. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all WordPress admin accounts to reduce the risk of account compromise. 6. Regularly audit installed plugins and their activation status to detect unauthorized changes promptly. 7. Monitor web server and WordPress logs for unusual activity patterns indicative of CSRF exploitation attempts. 8. Consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to reduce the risk of cross-site attacks. 9. For organizations with custom security solutions, integrate CSRF token validation checks at the application or proxy level as an additional safeguard. These measures collectively reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation and limit potential damage.