CVE-2022-4749 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A WordPress plugin vulnerability that could lead to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2022-4749

A security flaw in the Posts List Designer by Category WordPress plugin allows for Stored XSS via Shortcode.

What is CVE-2022-4749?

The Posts List Designer by Category plugin, before version 3.2, fails to properly validate and escape certain shortcode attributes. This oversight enables users with low-level roles, such as contributors, to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks against higher privilege users like admins.

The Impact of CVE-2022-4749

The vulnerability opens the door for attackers to inject malicious scripts into a website's content, potentially compromising administrator accounts and executing unauthorized actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-4749

Vulnerability Description

The flaw stems from the plugin's lack of proper input validation, allowing contributors and other low-level users to insert harmful scripts through specially crafted shortcodes.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the Posts List Designer by Category plugin prior to 3.2.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can leverage the lack of input sanitization in shortcode attributes to embed malicious scripts, leading to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should promptly update the Posts List Designer by Category plugin to version 3.2 or higher to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting access to trusted users can help reduce the risk of exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitoring and updating all plugins, implementing least privilege access controls, and educating users on safe practices can enhance overall security posture.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates for the plugin and apply patches as soon as they become available to safeguard against potential exploits.