CVE-2022-4790 : What You Need to Know

A detailed analysis of the WP Google My Business Auto Publish < 3.4 - Contributor+ Stored XSS via Shortcode vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2022-4790

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of the CVE-2022-4790 vulnerability.

What is CVE-2022-4790?

The CVE-2022-4790 vulnerability exists in the WP Google My Business Auto Publish WordPress plugin before version 3.4. It stems from the plugin's failure to validate and escape one of its shortcode attributes, enabling users with minimal roles like contributor to execute Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2022-4790

The vulnerability allows malicious contributors to inject and execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-4790

In this section, we delve into the technical specifics of CVE-2022-4790.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises due to the lack of proper validation and sanitization of user-supplied input within the WP Google My Business Auto Publish plugin's shortcode attribute.

Affected Systems and Versions

Systems running versions of WP Google My Business Auto Publish prior to 3.4 are vulnerable to this exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Malicious contributors can craft specially-crafted shortcodes containing malicious scripts, which are executed when a privileged user interacts with the compromised content.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we outline strategies to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2022-4790.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should update the WP Google My Business Auto Publish plugin to version 3.4 or higher to address the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting user roles with minimal permissions can help reduce the attack surface.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing input validation and output escaping mechanisms in plugin development can help prevent similar XSS vulnerabilities in the future. Regular security audits and user role assessments are also recommended.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by plugin developers. Promptly applying these patches can safeguard your website against potential exploits.