CVE-2022-4763 in Icon Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/30/2023
The Icon Widget WordPress plugin before 1.3.0 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 • 03/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4763 affects the Icon Widget WordPress plugin version 1.3.0 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of web applications built on the WordPress platform. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject persistent malicious scripts into web pages. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to end users, thereby exposing the system to cross-site scripting attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to implement proper sanitization controls for shortcode parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads through the plugin's user interface. This vulnerability operates under the principle of stored cross-site scripting where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed. The security implications are particularly severe because the attack vector requires only a contributor-level user role, which is often granted to trusted users who may have limited administrative privileges but still possess the ability to modify content. This low privilege requirement significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the content management system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to WordPress installations that utilize the affected plugin, as it enables attackers to execute malicious code against high-privilege users including administrators. The stored nature of the XSS attack means that once a malicious script is injected, it will persistently affect all users who view the affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or the deployment of additional malware. Organizations using the Icon Widget plugin prior to version 1.3.0 face significant exposure to these threats, particularly in multi-user environments where contributor accounts may be compromised.
The security implications of CVE-2022-4763 align with CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities, and can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for spearphishing attachment. The vulnerability's classification as a stored XSS attack places it within the context of persistent threat vectors that can cause long-term damage to web applications. Effective mitigation strategies include immediate upgrading to version 1.3.0 or later of the Icon Widget plugin, implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls and user privilege management to minimize the potential impact of compromised accounts, while also monitoring for unusual activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security practices throughout the application lifecycle.