CVE-2022-4656 in WP Visitor Statistics Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/13/2023
The WP Visitor Statistics (Real Time Traffic) WordPress plugin before 6.5 does not validate and escape one of its shortcode attributes, which could allow users with a role as low as contributor to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2026
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2022-4656 affects the WP Visitor Statistics plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 6.5, creating a critical security flaw that enables stored cross-site scripting attacks. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode implementation, allowing malicious actors with minimal privileges to exploit the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it lowers the attack threshold to the contributor role level, which represents one of the least privileged user roles in WordPress, making it accessible to users who typically have limited capabilities within the system. The affected shortcode attribute lacks proper sanitization, creating a persistent vector for malicious script injection that can be executed whenever the affected content is rendered.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly validate and escape shortcode parameters before storing and displaying them within the WordPress environment. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the improper handling of user-supplied data in web applications. When a contributor-level user submits malicious script content through the vulnerable shortcode attribute, the system stores this input without adequate sanitization, creating a persistent XSS vector. The stored script executes in the context of other users' browsers who view the affected content, potentially enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains active until manually removed, providing attackers with sustained access to target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it represents a significant escalation of privileges within WordPress environments. Contributors typically have limited capabilities such as creating and editing posts, managing comments, and uploading media files, but this vulnerability allows them to execute arbitrary JavaScript code across the entire WordPress installation. The attack surface becomes particularly dangerous when considering that contributor accounts may be accessible through various means including compromised user credentials, social engineering, or automated brute force attacks. The stored XSS vulnerability can be leveraged to steal administrative credentials, modify website content, redirect users to malicious sites, or establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress environment. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as it can be exploited through malicious shortcode content that appears legitimate to end users.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from WordPress administrators, beginning with the mandatory upgrade to WP Visitor Statistics plugin version 6.5 or later, which includes proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of contributor-level activities and review user permissions to minimize the attack surface. The fix implemented in version 6.5 addresses the root cause by introducing proper sanitization of shortcode attributes before storage and ensuring appropriate escaping during output rendering. Security teams should also consider implementing content security policies and regular security audits to detect similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and maintaining up-to-date security practices can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and output escaping as fundamental security principles, aligning with OWASP Top Ten security requirements and emphasizing the critical nature of sanitizing all user-supplied data within web applications to prevent XSS attacks.