CVE-2022-4571 in Seriously Simple Podcasting Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2023
The Seriously Simple Podcasting WordPress plugin before 2.19.1 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 • 04/05/2025
The CVE-2022-4571 vulnerability affects the Seriously Simple Podcasting WordPress plugin version 2.19.1 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode implementation, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by users with minimal privileges. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where user-provided data is not adequately sanitized before being rendered back to users, particularly those with elevated privileges such as administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's shortcode processing functionality which fails to properly validate and escape user-supplied attributes before incorporating them into HTML output. When contributors or other low-privilege users insert malicious payloads through podcast shortcode parameters, these inputs are stored within the WordPress database and subsequently executed whenever the content is rendered to other users, particularly administrators who may view the podcast content. This stored XSS vector operates through the principle that user-generated content is not properly sanitized before being output to web pages, creating a persistent threat that can be exploited across multiple sessions and user interactions.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4571 extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform privilege escalation and maintain persistent access to compromised WordPress installations. High-privilege users such as administrators who view podcast content containing malicious scripts become potential victims of this vulnerability, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code that could harvest session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal privileges, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by users who would normally not have significant access to WordPress administrative functions. This weakness directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting vulnerabilities, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through spearphishing attachments or links, as the malicious content can be embedded within podcast metadata or content fields.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2022-4571 requires immediate plugin updates to version 2.19.1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to properly validate and escape shortcode attributes. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including restricting contributor roles from creating podcast content, implementing content security policies to limit script execution, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage patterns. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, while proper input validation and output escaping practices should be enforced throughout the application codebase. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to prevent privilege escalation attacks that can compromise entire WordPress installations through seemingly minor security flaws in third-party components.