CVE-2022-4793 in Blog Designer Post and Widget Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/30/2023
The Blog Designer WordPress plugin before 2.4.1 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 • 03/27/2025
The CVE-2022-4793 vulnerability resides within the Blog Designer WordPress plugin, specifically affecting versions prior to 2.4.1. This security flaw represents a critical stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that undermines the integrity of WordPress installations by allowing unauthorized users to inject malicious scripts into the application's content. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's shortcode attribute handling mechanism, which fails to properly validate and escape user-supplied input before processing. This oversight creates an attack vector that can be exploited by individuals holding minimal privileges within the WordPress environment, including users with the contributor role who typically should not possess the capability to execute such sophisticated attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within the plugin's shortcode processing functionality. When users with contributor privileges create or edit posts containing malicious scripts within the Blog Designer plugin's shortcode attributes, the system fails to properly escape or validate these inputs before storing them in the database. This stored script then executes whenever the content is rendered to other users, making it a persistent threat that can affect multiple visitors over time. The vulnerability operates under the principle that user-provided content should never be trusted without proper sanitization, a fundamental security principle that the plugin fails to implement adequately.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4793 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable attackers to escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. An attacker with contributor-level access could craft malicious content that, when viewed by administrators or other users, could steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or even execute commands on the server. This stored XSS vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and represents a significant concern for WordPress administrators who may not fully understand the implications of third-party plugin vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it leverages the contributor role, which is often granted to users who contribute content but should not have the capability to compromise the entire site.
Organizations and WordPress administrators should prioritize immediate remediation by updating the Blog Designer plugin to version 2.4.1 or later, which includes proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The mitigation strategy should also include implementing additional security measures such as restricting contributor privileges, monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 (Phishing with Malicious Attachments) and T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter), as attackers can use the stored XSS to establish persistent access and potentially escalate privileges. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security, demonstrating how seemingly minor oversights in code can create significant security risks for entire WordPress installations.