CVE-2022-4010 in Image Hover Effects Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2022
The Image Hover Effects WordPress plugin through 5.3 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).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4010 affects the Image Hover Effects WordPress plugin version 5.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the platform's content sanitization mechanisms. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output escaping practices within the plugin's codebase, creating a pathway for persistent malicious script execution. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of user settings and configuration parameters, where data entered by administrators is not properly sanitized before being stored and subsequently rendered back to users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to apply proper sanitization routines to user-controllable input fields within its administrative interface. When administrators configure the image hover effects settings, the plugin stores these values directly into the WordPress database without adequate filtering or escaping mechanisms. This oversight creates a stored cross-site scripting condition where malicious scripts can be injected and persistently executed whenever affected pages are rendered. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects high-privilege users including administrators who typically possess elevated permissions and access to sensitive system functions.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4010 extends beyond simple script execution as it enables attackers to leverage the administrative privileges of compromised accounts for more sophisticated attacks. In a multisite WordPress environment where the unfiltered_html capability is explicitly restricted to prevent XSS vulnerabilities, this flaw provides a bypass mechanism that allows malicious actors to circumvent these security controls. The vulnerability can be exploited to perform actions such as stealing administrator session cookies, modifying plugin configurations, accessing sensitive data, or even establishing persistent backdoors within the compromised WordPress installation. This represents a significant threat to WordPress multisite deployments where security policies are enforced through capability restrictions.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which identifies Cross-Site Scripting as a fundamental web application security weakness, specifically categorized under stored XSS conditions where malicious input is permanently stored and then executed. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which covers social engineering through malicious content injection, and T1059.001 which involves command and scripting interpreter execution. The attack vector typically involves an authenticated administrator visiting a page that contains the malicious script payload, or the script being executed when the plugin's settings are rendered in administrative interfaces. Organizations using the affected plugin version face heightened risk of successful exploitation, particularly in environments where administrators frequently interact with plugin configuration settings.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4010 require immediate action to address the root cause through proper input sanitization and output escaping practices. The most effective solution involves updating to the patched version of the Image Hover Effects plugin where the vulnerability has been resolved through proper sanitization of user inputs. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular plugin updates, monitoring of plugin configuration changes, and enforcement of strict capability restrictions. Security professionals should consider implementing content security policies to limit script execution contexts, while also establishing automated monitoring systems to detect unauthorized modifications to plugin settings. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities.