CVE-2022-4458 in amr Shortcode Any Widget plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2023
The amr shortcode any widget WordPress plugin through 4.0 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in the page, which could allow users with a role as low as contributor to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks which could be used against high privilege users such as admins.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4458 affects the amr shortcode any widget WordPress plugin version 4.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through stored cross-site scripting flaws. This issue arises from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode attribute handling system. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's ability to process and render shortcode attributes without proper sanitization, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by users possessing minimal privileges.
The technical flaw stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper sanitization routines for shortcode parameters before incorporating them into HTML output. When administrators or other high-privilege users view pages containing compromised shortcodes, the malicious JavaScript code embedded within the unsanitized attributes executes in their browser context. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the plugin's shortcode processing mechanism where user-supplied data flows directly into the page output without adequate filtering or escaping. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges, steal session cookies, or perform unauthorized administrative actions on behalf of compromised users.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4458 is particularly concerning given that the vulnerability can be exploited by users with contributor-level permissions, which represents one of the lowest user roles in WordPress. This low privilege requirement significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability more dangerous in real-world scenarios where contributor accounts may be compromised through social engineering or other means. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that malicious payloads persist on the server and affect any user who views the affected pages, potentially compromising multiple high-privilege accounts over time. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links.
Organizations should immediately implement multiple layers of defense against this vulnerability. The primary mitigation involves upgrading to the latest version of the amr shortcode any widget plugin where the XSS vulnerability has been patched. Additionally, administrators should review and implement proper input validation procedures, including the use of WordPress's built-in sanitization functions such as esc_attr() and esc_html() for all shortcode attribute processing. Network-level monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious shortcode usage patterns, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify other potential XSS vulnerabilities in custom plugins or themes. User privilege management should be strictly enforced, ensuring that contributor accounts have minimal necessary permissions to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing Content Security Policy headers as an additional defense-in-depth measure to mitigate the impact of any successful XSS attacks that might still occur despite proper input validation.