CVE-2022-4716 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability has been identified in the WP Popups WordPress plugin before version 2.1.4.8, allowing contributors to perform attacks against high privilege users such as admins.

Understanding CVE-2022-4716

This vulnerability in WP Popups plugin allows contributors to exploit Stored XSS and potentially compromise admin accounts on WordPress sites.

What is CVE-2022-4716?

The WP Popups WordPress plugin before version 2.1.4.8 is susceptible to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks due to improper validation and escaping of shortcode attributes.

The Impact of CVE-2022-4716

This vulnerability enables users with low roles like contributor to execute malicious scripts, posing a significant threat to WordPress sites and high privilege users.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-4716

The details of the vulnerability include:

Vulnerability Description

The WP Popups plugin does not properly validate and escape some shortcode attributes, allowing contributors to inject malicious scripts.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: Unknown
Product: WP Popups
Versions Affected: Before 2.1.4.8

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers with contributor access can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary scripts, potentially leading to unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2022-4716 requires immediate action to secure WordPress sites from potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WP Popups plugin to version 2.1.4.8 or later.
Monitor user roles and privileges to restrict access for vulnerable contributors.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugin code for security vulnerabilities.
Educate users about best practices for secure coding and avoiding XSS vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for plugins and promptly apply patches provided by plugin developers.