CVE-2022-4795 : What You Need to Know

This article provides details about CVE-2022-4795, a vulnerability in the Galleries by Angie Makes WordPress plugin that could lead to Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

Understanding CVE-2022-4795

This section delves into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2022-4795.

What is CVE-2022-4795?

The Galleries by Angie Makes WordPress plugin version 1.67 and below is affected by a Stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability that enables users with contributor-level access and higher to execute malicious code through shortcode attributes.

The Impact of CVE-2022-4795

This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers with higher privileges to inject malicious scripts into pages/posts using the plugin, thereby compromising the security and integrity of the affected WordPress sites.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-4795

This section outlines the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the lack of validation and escaping of certain shortcode attributes, allowing unauthorized users to craft and execute harmful XSS attacks on compromised WordPress sites.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects all systems running the Galleries by Angie Makes plugin version 1.67 and below, with custom versions included within the affected range.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the insecure shortcode attributes handling, attackers can input malicious scripts that get executed whenever the compromised page or post is viewed, potentially leading to data theft or further system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore the immediate steps and long-term practices to secure WordPress sites and mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2022-4795.

Immediate Steps to Take

WordPress site owners are advised to update the Galleries by Angie Makes plugin to a secure version, promptly revoke contributor-level access for untrusted users, and implement a robust security plugin to monitor and prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit plugins for security vulnerabilities, conduct security awareness training for users with elevated privileges, and maintain communication with security researchers and plugins maintainers to stay informed about emerging threats.

Patching and Updates

Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date with the latest security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities and strengthen the overall security posture of the website.