CVE-2022-3391 in Retain Live Chat Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2022
The Retain Live Chat WordPress plugin through 0.1 does not sanitise and 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)
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3391 affects the Retain Live Chat WordPress plugin version 0.1 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through stored cross-site scripting flaws. This issue specifically targets high-privilege users including administrators who possess the capability to manipulate plugin settings despite WordPress configurations that typically restrict unfiltered HTML content. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization and escaping mechanisms within the plugin's settings handling processes, creating an attack vector that could be exploited even in environments where standard security measures are enforced.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user inputs when processing configuration settings. When administrators configure the live chat plugin parameters, the system does not adequately filter or escape potentially malicious script content that could be embedded within these settings. This inadequate input handling creates a persistent XSS vulnerability where malicious scripts can be stored within the plugin's configuration data and subsequently executed whenever the affected settings are rendered or processed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates even when the WordPress multisite environment enforces strict HTML filtering policies, making it a sophisticated attack vector that bypasses standard security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers with administrative privileges to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration. In a multisite environment where unfiltered_html capabilities are explicitly restricted, attackers can leverage this vulnerability to circumvent security restrictions and execute arbitrary code within the context of privileged user sessions. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that malicious scripts persist in the system and can affect multiple users who interact with the affected plugin settings, potentially compromising the entire WordPress network infrastructure.
Security mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization deficiencies, along with comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict access controls limiting administrative privileges to essential personnel only, while also conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for script execution within web applications. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten security guidelines, particularly focusing on preventing XSS vulnerabilities through comprehensive data validation and escaping mechanisms.