CVE-2022-4081 in Show Visitor IP Address Widget and Shortcode Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/20/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in getseofix Show Visitor IP Address Widget and Shortcode Plugin. This vulnerability affects unknown code of the component HTTP Header Handler. The manipulation of the argument X-Forwarded-For leads to improper output neutralization for logs. The attack can be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-214048.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2026
This vulnerability resides within the getseofix Show Visitor IP Address Widget and Shortcode Plugin, specifically targeting the HTTP Header Handler component where improper handling of the X-Forwarded-For header creates a significant security risk. The flaw represents a critical weakness in input validation and output sanitization mechanisms that allows attackers to manipulate log outputs through crafted HTTP headers. The X-Forwarded-For header is commonly used by web servers to identify the original IP address of a client connecting through an HTTP proxy or load balancer, but this plugin fails to properly neutralize user-controllable input before incorporating it into log entries.
The technical exploitation occurs when an attacker sends a maliciously crafted X-Forwarded-For header value that contains characters or sequences designed to manipulate the logging output. This improper output neutralization creates opportunities for log injection attacks where malicious data can be embedded within log files, potentially enabling attackers to obscure their true IP addresses or inject harmful content into system logs. The vulnerability is classified as remotely exploitable since no authentication or local access is required to initiate the attack vector through HTTP requests.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-117, which describes improper output neutralization for logs, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1562.006 for "Impair Command History Logging" and T1070.002 for "Clear Log File". The impact extends beyond simple log manipulation as compromised logs can mislead incident response teams during forensic analysis, potentially masking malicious activities or providing false leads. Additionally, the vulnerability may enable more sophisticated attacks such as log poisoning that could interfere with security monitoring systems or be used to bypass access controls.
The public disclosure of this exploit (VDB-214048) significantly increases the risk profile since threat actors can readily implement this attack without requiring specialized knowledge or tools. Organizations using this plugin should immediately implement mitigations including input validation for X-Forwarded-For headers, proper output encoding before log insertion, and monitoring for anomalous log entries that may indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing additional logging controls and regular audit procedures to detect potential manipulation of log data. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper header handling in web applications and highlights how seemingly simple input validation flaws can create significant operational security risks.
Security teams must recognize that log files serve as crucial forensic evidence and any compromise of their integrity undermines the effectiveness of security monitoring systems. The exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to establish persistence or hide their activities within network traffic logs, making detection more difficult for security operations centers. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability as soon as possible while also reviewing other plugins and applications for similar input/output handling issues that may present analogous risks.