CVE-2022-4207 in Image Hover Effects Ultimate Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/14/2022
The Image Hover Effects Ultimate plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via several values that can be added to an Image Hover in versions 9.8.1 to 9.8.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. By default, the plugin only allows administrators access to edit Image Hovers, however, if a site admin makes the plugin's features available to lower privileged users through the 'Who Can Edit?' setting then this can be exploited by those users.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/09/2023
The CVE-2022-4207 vulnerability affects the Image Hover Effects Ultimate plugin for WordPress, specifically versions 9.8.1 through 9.8.4, presenting a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines web application security. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, creating a persistent security weakness that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into the application's data storage. The flaw is particularly concerning because it enables attackers to store malicious code within the plugin's configuration values, which then executes whenever legitimate users access pages containing the injected content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of several input parameters that are used to configure Image Hover effects within the WordPress administration interface. When authenticated attackers submit malicious payloads through these configurable fields, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before storing it in the database. This stored malicious content then gets executed in the context of the victim's browser when they navigate to pages that display the affected image hover elements. The vulnerability operates as a classic stored XSS attack pattern where the malicious script is permanently stored on the server and executed each time the affected content is rendered to users.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4207 extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities through the compromised user sessions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, deface the website content, or even escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. The risk is amplified when site administrators configure the plugin to allow lower-privileged users to edit image hover effects, as this expands the potential attack surface to include users who might not have administrative rights but still possess the ability to inject malicious code. This configuration issue aligns with CWE-79, which identifies cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as a fundamental web application security weakness, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to severe security implications.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires authentication, limiting the attack scope to users with sufficient privileges to modify plugin settings. However, the default plugin configuration restricts editing capabilities to administrators only, making the vulnerability less immediately dangerous unless administrators intentionally grant editing permissions to less privileged users. This design decision reflects a common security pattern where privilege escalation opportunities are created through misconfiguration rather than inherent code flaws, but still represents a significant security risk when such configurations occur. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and output escaping, principles that are fundamental to the OWASP Top Ten security framework and directly related to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through web application attacks.
Organizations affected by CVE-2022-4207 should immediately implement several mitigation strategies to protect their WordPress installations. The primary recommendation is to update the Image Hover Effects Ultimate plugin to version 9.8.5 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the input sanitization and output escaping deficiencies. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict plugin access permissions, ensuring that only trusted administrators have the ability to modify image hover configurations. Implementing proper content security policies and regular security audits of plugin configurations can further reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date security practices, including regular plugin updates, proper access control implementations, and comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts.