CVE-2022-4619 in Sidebar Widgets Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/20/2022
The Sidebar Widgets by CodeLights plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘Extra CSS class’ parameter in versions up to, and including, 1.4 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with administrator-level permissions and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This only affects multi-site installations and installations where unfiltered_html has been disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4619 affects the Sidebar Widgets by CodeLights WordPress plugin, specifically impacting versions up to and including 1.4. This represents a stored cross-site scripting flaw that emerges from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only authenticated access with administrator-level permissions or higher, making it exploitable by users who already possess elevated privileges within the WordPress environment. The attack vector specifically targets the 'Extra CSS class' parameter, which serves as the entry point for malicious script injection.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input before storing it in the database and subsequently rendering it on web pages. When administrators or other privileged users interact with the plugin's interface and provide malicious input through the 'Extra CSS class' field, the system does not adequately filter or escape the content. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that gets stored persistently within the WordPress installation. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious scripts execute automatically whenever any user accesses pages containing the injected content, creating a persistent threat that can affect multiple users over time.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4619 is significant within multi-site WordPress installations where the vulnerability manifests. The vulnerability's scope is further constrained by the requirement that unfiltered_html must be disabled for the exploit to function, which typically occurs in more secure WordPress configurations. However, this limitation does not diminish the severity of the threat, as administrators who have disabled unfiltered_html are often those who manage sensitive environments where such vulnerabilities could be leveraged for broader attacks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and represents a clear example of how insufficient input validation can create persistent security risks. Attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to perform session hijacking, steal administrative credentials, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute additional attacks through the compromised administrator sessions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4619 should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability, as well as implementing comprehensive input sanitization measures. Administrators should ensure that all WordPress plugins are kept up to date with the latest security patches, particularly those that handle user input. The vulnerability's requirement for administrator-level access means that proper privilege management and role-based access controls should be enforced within WordPress installations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and content security policies to provide additional layers of protection against potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of WordPress installations and plugin configurations should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for Scripting, as it enables attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of the affected web application.