CVE-2022-4785 in Video Sidebar Widgets Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/21/2023
The Video Sidebar Widgets WordPress plugin through 6.1 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 • 03/23/2023
The Video Sidebar Widgets WordPress plugin version 6.1 and earlier contains a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that affects users with contributor role and above. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation and sanitization of shortcode attributes within the plugin's codebase. When administrators or contributors embed video sidebar widgets using shortcodes, the plugin fails to properly escape output parameters before rendering them in the final webpage, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors with relatively low privileges.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's handling of user-provided input through shortcode attributes. Specifically, the vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes and outputs values without adequate sanitization, allowing malicious script code to be stored in the database and subsequently executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the standard WordPress shortcode mechanism where user input is processed and rendered without proper HTML escaping or context-aware output filtering. The issue is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamically generated web content, making it particularly dangerous as the malicious payload persists in the system and affects multiple users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and redirection to phishing sites. Attackers with contributor-level access can inject malicious JavaScript code through the video sidebar widget shortcode parameters, which then executes whenever other users view pages containing the compromised content. This allows threat actors to escalate their privileges, steal cookies, or redirect users to malicious domains. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in multi-user environments where contributors may have access to sensitive content, as it provides a persistent attack vector that can remain undetected for extended periods.
Security practitioners should immediately update to the latest version of the Video Sidebar Widgets plugin to address this vulnerability, as no workarounds exist for the underlying issue. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive monitoring of user activity, especially around content creation and shortcode usage, as well as implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, while following ATT&CK framework guidance for defending against persistent threats through proper access controls and privilege management. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes remain essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from compromising system integrity and user data confidentiality.