CVE-2022-1822 in Zephyr Project Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2022
The Zephyr Project Manager plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘project’ parameter in versions up to, and including, 3.2.40 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1822 affects the Zephyr Project Manager plugin for WordPress, a widely used project management solution that integrates with the WordPress ecosystem. This particular flaw resides in the plugin's handling of user input through the 'project' parameter, which is processed without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerability impacts all versions up to and including 3.2.40, making it a significant concern for WordPress site administrators who have not updated their installations. The Zephyr Project Manager plugin is commonly utilized by organizations for tracking project progress, managing tasks, and coordinating team activities within WordPress environments, which amplifies the potential impact of this security flaw.
The technical nature of this vulnerability classifies it as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability, which occurs when user-supplied data is immediately reflected back in the application's response without proper sanitization or escaping. The 'project' parameter in the plugin's URL handling mechanism fails to adequately sanitize input, allowing malicious payloads to be executed within the context of a victim's browser. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code in the project parameter and successfully tricks a user into clicking the link, the script executes in the victim's browser session. This behavior violates fundamental security principles of input validation and output encoding that are essential for preventing XSS attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts against users who visit compromised pages. This creates multiple attack vectors including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web pages, and potential redirection to malicious sites. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers do not need to store malicious code on the server, making detection more difficult and the attack more immediate. Users who are logged into WordPress admin panels when they click on the malicious links could have their sessions compromised, potentially allowing attackers to gain administrative privileges or access sensitive project data. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations using WordPress for project management where sensitive business information is stored and shared.
Security practitioners should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched version of the Zephyr Project Manager plugin, as this vulnerability has been addressed in newer releases. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and it maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links. Organizations should also implement input validation at multiple layers including client-side and server-side, and ensure that all output is properly escaped according to the context in which it is rendered. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes are essential to identify similar vulnerabilities in the broader WordPress ecosystem. The incident highlights the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and maintaining robust security practices in web application environments where user input is processed and displayed.