CVE-2022-4655 in Welcart e-Commerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/16/2023
The Welcart e-Commerce WordPress plugin before 2.8.9 does not validate and escapes one of its shortcode attributes, which could allow users with a role as low as a contributor to perform a Stored Cross-Site Scripting attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2025
The Welcart e-commerce WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-4655 represents a critical security flaw in versions prior to 2.8.9 that allows for stored cross-site scripting attacks through improper input validation and sanitization. This vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's shortcode attribute handling mechanism, creating a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited by users with minimal privileges. The flaw exists within the plugin's core functionality where it fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web application's output, making it susceptible to malicious code injection that persists across user sessions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate data validation practices within the plugin's shortcode processing logic. When administrators or contributors use the plugin's shortcode attributes, the system does not properly escape or validate the input parameters before storing them in the database or rendering them in the user interface. This failure to implement proper input sanitization creates a condition where malicious scripts can be stored in the application's database and subsequently executed whenever the affected shortcode is rendered. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level privileges to exploit, making it accessible to users who typically have limited administrative capabilities within WordPress environments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript code in the context of any user who views pages containing the vulnerable shortcode. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that the malicious payload persists indefinitely until manually removed by an administrator, potentially affecting all users who encounter the compromised content. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious websites, or even escalate privileges within the compromised WordPress installation. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially enable full compromise of the affected WordPress site and its underlying user data.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, specifically addressing cross-site scripting flaws in web applications. This weakness falls under the broader category of web application security issues that have been extensively documented in the OWASP Top Ten and various cybersecurity frameworks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to deliver malicious payloads through web-based vectors and execute code within user browsers. Organizations using the Welcart plugin without the necessary security updates face significant risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, particularly in environments where contributor-level accounts are not properly secured or monitored.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the plugin update to version 2.8.9 or later, which addresses the input validation and sanitization issues. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting contributor privileges, monitoring user activity for suspicious shortcode usage, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. Network-based solutions like web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers, while regular security scanning and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the WordPress ecosystem. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to quickly recover from potential exploitation attempts.