CVE-2022-4795 in Galleries Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2023
The Galleries by Angie Makes WordPress plugin through 1.67 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 • 03/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4795 affects the Galleries by Angie Makes WordPress plugin version 1.67 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines web application security. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode implementation, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by authenticated users. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of shortcode attributes, where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into HTML output without proper sanitization. Attackers with contributor-level privileges or higher can leverage this weakness to inject malicious scripts that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view pages containing the affected shortcode. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that the malicious payloads persist in the database and can affect multiple users over time, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where content is frequently shared and viewed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-established pattern that aligns with CWE-79, which classifies cross-site scripting as a common web application security flaw. The flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly escape or validate shortcode parameters before rendering them in the HTML output, creating an environment where malicious code can be injected and subsequently executed. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates poor security hygiene in input processing, where the plugin does not employ proper sanitization techniques such as escaping HTML entities or implementing Content Security Policy directives. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects users with contributor roles and above, meaning that even relatively low-privilege attackers can potentially compromise the entire WordPress installation's security posture. The stored aspect of the vulnerability means that the malicious scripts are not limited to a single request but can affect all users who view the compromised content, creating a persistent threat vector that can be used for session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites.
The operational implications of this vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities that compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the WordPress environment. An attacker could craft malicious shortcodes that redirect users to phishing sites, steal session cookies, or even execute commands on the server if combined with other vulnerabilities. The fact that this affects a widely used plugin means that the potential attack surface is extensive, as the vulnerability could be exploited across numerous WordPress installations. Organizations using this plugin are particularly vulnerable because the attack requires minimal privileges, making it accessible to users who should not have the ability to inject malicious code into the system. The vulnerability also impacts the plugin's core functionality, as legitimate users may inadvertently trigger the XSS when using certain shortcode parameters, leading to potential service disruption and user trust erosion. Security monitoring and incident response teams must consider this vulnerability as a high-priority threat, especially in environments where content contributors have elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4795 should focus on immediate remediation and long-term security hardening. The most effective immediate solution is to update the Galleries by Angie Makes plugin to version 1.68 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched through proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence feeds to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566.001 for credential access through social engineering, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat. Implementing proper Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include validation of input handling and output escaping practices. Organizations should also consider implementing automated plugin update mechanisms and maintaining detailed inventory of all installed plugins to quickly identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. Regular security training for content contributors about the risks of injecting untrusted code and the importance of following security best practices can further reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation attempts.