CVE-2022-3769 is a high-severity SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the OWM Weather WordPress plugin versions prior to 5.6.9. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly sanitize and escape user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries. Specifically, a parameter used in the plugin's database interactions is vulnerable to injection attacks. This flaw can be exploited by users with as low a privilege level as 'contributor,' which is a relatively low-level WordPress role that typically allows content creation but not administrative control. Exploiting this vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond the attacker's own authenticated session, and the attack can be performed remotely over the network. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting the vulnerability's high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the backend database, leading to unauthorized data disclosure, data modification, or even complete compromise of the affected WordPress site. The vulnerability affects the OWM Weather plugin, which is used to display weather information on WordPress sites. Although there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of this report, the ease of exploitation and the low privilege required make it a significant risk. No official patch links were provided in the source information, but upgrading to version 5.6.9 or later is implied as the remediation step. The vulnerability is tracked under CWE-89, indicating classic SQL Injection issues due to improper input validation and escaping.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites that utilize the OWM Weather plugin. The potential impacts include unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in the website's database, such as user credentials, personal information, or business-critical content. Data integrity could be compromised by malicious modification or deletion of records, potentially disrupting business operations or damaging reputation. Availability may also be affected if attackers execute destructive SQL commands or cause database corruption, leading to website downtime. Given the low privilege required to exploit this vulnerability, insider threats or compromised contributor accounts could be leveraged to escalate attacks. Organizations in sectors such as e-commerce, media, public services, and SMEs that maintain WordPress sites with this plugin are particularly at risk. Additionally, the vulnerability could be used as a foothold for further lateral movement or to implant malware, increasing the overall threat landscape. The absence of known exploits currently does not diminish the urgency, as automated exploit tools could emerge rapidly. The impact is amplified in European contexts by stringent data protection regulations such as GDPR, where data breaches can lead to significant legal and financial penalties.

1. Immediate upgrade: Organizations should verify if their WordPress sites use the OWM Weather plugin and ensure it is updated to version 5.6.9 or later, where the vulnerability is fixed. 2. Role auditing: Review and minimize the number of users assigned the 'contributor' role or higher, applying the principle of least privilege to reduce attack surface. 3. Input validation: Implement additional web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns targeting the plugin's endpoints. 4. Database monitoring: Enable and review database activity logs to detect unusual queries or access patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5. Backup strategy: Maintain regular, secure backups of website data and databases to enable rapid recovery in case of compromise. 6. Security plugins: Deploy WordPress security plugins that provide real-time protection and scanning for known vulnerabilities and suspicious activity. 7. Incident response: Prepare an incident response plan specifically for web application compromises, including forensic analysis and containment procedures. 8. Vendor communication: Monitor official plugin channels for patches, advisories, and updates to stay informed about any emerging threats or fixes.