CVE-2022-2709 in Float to Top Button Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/19/2022
The Float to Top Button WordPress plugin through 2.3.6 does not escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup)
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2026
The CVE-2022-2709 vulnerability affects the Float to Top Button WordPress plugin version 2.3.6 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines web application security. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings, where insufficient output escaping creates persistent XSS attack vectors. The flaw is particularly concerning because it affects high-privilege users including administrators who typically possess elevated capabilities within WordPress environments. The vulnerability occurs even when WordPress security measures such as the unfiltered_html capability restriction are enforced, which is standard practice in multisite configurations where security boundaries are paramount. This weakness essentially allows attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious scripts that persist in the plugin's settings storage, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where multiple administrators may interact with the same plugin configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper sanitization of user input within the plugin's settings handling mechanism. When administrators configure the float to top button plugin, their input is not adequately escaped before being stored and subsequently rendered back to users. This creates a classic stored XSS scenario where malicious scripts can be injected into the plugin's configuration settings and then executed whenever the settings are displayed or processed. The vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that it operates within WordPress's core security model where unfiltered_html is typically restricted to prevent such attacks. However, the plugin's failure to properly escape output means that even when this restriction is in place, the malicious code can still persist and execute, bypassing the intended security controls. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and output escaping practices that directly contradict established security standards and best practices for web application development.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-2709 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access to administrative interfaces and potentially sensitive data within WordPress environments. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform actions such as modifying plugin configurations, injecting malicious content into user interfaces, or even establishing persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. In multisite setups, where multiple network administrators may have access to shared configurations, the risk amplifies significantly as a single compromised administrator account can potentially affect entire network installations. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious scripts remain active even after the initial injection, allowing for long-term persistence and continued exploitation. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness, and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and persistence within web applications. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where WordPress is used for content management and where administrative access controls are critical for maintaining data integrity and system security.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2709 require immediate action including updating to the patched version of the Float to Top Button plugin, which addresses the output escaping deficiencies in the affected versions. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as restricting administrative privileges to only essential personnel, implementing regular security audits of installed plugins, and monitoring for suspicious plugin configurations. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block potential XSS payloads, while security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other plugins or themes that may exhibit similar output escaping issues. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper input validation and output escaping in web applications, and serves as a reminder of the need for comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle. Additionally, implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect unusual administrative activities or configuration changes can help identify exploitation attempts before they result in significant damage. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege models where administrative capabilities are granted only when absolutely necessary, reducing the potential impact of such vulnerabilities in the event of compromise.