CVE-2022-3708 is a critical Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) vulnerability affecting the Google Web Stories plugin for WordPress, specifically in versions up to and including 1.24.0. The vulnerability arises due to insufficient validation of URLs supplied via the 'url' parameter in the /v1/hotlink/proxy REST API endpoint. Authenticated users can exploit this flaw to make arbitrary web requests originating from the web application server. This can allow attackers to interact with internal services that are otherwise inaccessible externally, potentially leading to unauthorized information disclosure or modification. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-918, indicating a weakness in server-side request handling. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 9.6, reflecting a critical severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, requiring privileges but no user interaction, and impacting confidentiality and integrity with a scope change. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported, the high severity and ease of exploitation by authenticated users make this a significant threat. The vulnerability could be leveraged to access internal APIs, cloud metadata services, or other sensitive internal resources, leading to data leakage or further compromise within the hosting environment. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting increases the urgency for mitigation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk, especially for those using WordPress sites with the Google Web Stories plugin enabled. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to internal network resources, exposing sensitive corporate data or internal APIs. This could result in data breaches, intellectual property theft, or disruption of internal services. Given the critical CVSS score and the ability to escalate access within the network, attackers could pivot from the compromised web server to other internal systems. Organizations in sectors with strict data protection regulations such as GDPR (e.g., finance, healthcare, government) face heightened compliance risks and potential legal consequences if internal data is exposed. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used to perform reconnaissance or lateral movement within the network, increasing the risk of more extensive cyberattacks. The requirement for authenticated access somewhat limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, as many WordPress sites allow user registrations or have multiple users with varying privileges.

European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the Google Web Stories plugin. Until an official patch is released, it is recommended to disable or remove the plugin to eliminate the attack vector. Restricting user roles and permissions to minimize the number of authenticated users who can access the vulnerable endpoint is critical. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious SSRF attempts targeting the /v1/hotlink/proxy endpoint, including filtering or blocking requests with manipulated 'url' parameters. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit the web server's ability to reach internal services that are not necessary for its operation. Monitoring and logging of REST API calls and unusual outbound requests from the web server can help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should also prepare to apply patches promptly once they become available and consider conducting internal security assessments or penetration tests focusing on SSRF vulnerabilities. Educating administrators and developers about SSRF risks and secure coding practices will help prevent similar issues in the future.