CVE-2022-4777 in BootStrap Shortcode Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2023
The Bootstrap Shortcodes WordPress plugin through 3.4.0 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could allow users with the contributor role and above to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4777 affects the Bootstrap Shortcodes WordPress plugin version 3.4.0 and earlier, presenting a critical security risk through stored cross-site scripting flaws. This issue stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing functionality. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where user-supplied data is not adequately sanitized before being rendered back into the webpage content. Attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this weakness to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users who view the affected content.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to implement proper sanitization protocols for shortcode parameters. When administrators or contributors insert shortcodes containing user-generated content into posts or pages, the plugin processes these attributes without adequate validation. This creates an environment where malicious payloads can be stored persistently within the WordPress database and subsequently executed whenever the affected content is rendered. The vulnerability operates as a stored XSS attack because the malicious scripts are saved in the database rather than being reflected in the HTTP request, making them particularly dangerous as they can affect multiple users over time.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, manipulate content, or redirect users to malicious websites. The low privilege requirement of contributor level access makes this attack vector particularly concerning for WordPress installations where multiple users have editing capabilities. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code can affect any user who views the compromised content, potentially leading to widespread security breaches across a site's user base. This type of vulnerability undermines the integrity of the WordPress content management system and can result in significant data loss or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Security mitigations for CVE-2022-4777 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization issues. Administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping for all shortcode parameters, following established security practices such as those outlined in the CWE-79 category for cross-site scripting vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a technique involving web application vulnerabilities and can be mitigated through proper content security policies, regular security audits, and ensuring that all WordPress plugins maintain up-to-date security standards. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with security best practices that emphasize the need for proper sanitization of all user-supplied content before rendering it in web contexts.