CVE-2022-4834 in CPT Bootstrap Carousel
Summary
by MITRE • 01/30/2023
The CPT Bootstrap Carousel WordPress plugin through 1.12 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 CVE-2022-4834 vulnerability affects the CPT Bootstrap Carousel WordPress plugin version 1.12 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines web application security. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode attribute handling system. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's inability to properly sanitize user-supplied data before rendering it back to the browser, creating an attack vector that can be exploited by malicious actors with relatively low privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the plugin's shortcode processing functionality where attributes are accepted from user input without adequate sanitization. When contributors or users with similar roles create or modify content containing carousel shortcodes, they can inject malicious JavaScript code through the attribute parameters. This code then gets stored within the WordPress database and executed whenever the affected page is rendered to other users, including administrators and high-privilege accounts. The vulnerability operates as a stored XSS attack because the malicious payload persists in the database rather than being reflected in a single request, making it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-4834 extends beyond simple script execution, as it creates a potential pathway for privilege escalation and comprehensive system compromise. An attacker with contributor-level access can craft malicious payloads that, when executed by administrators, could steal session cookies, modify content, or redirect users to malicious sites. This vulnerability directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-79, which addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious content. The risk is amplified because administrators frequently interact with content created by contributors, creating a high probability that malicious payloads will be executed during routine administrative tasks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate plugin updates to versions that properly implement input validation and output escaping mechanisms. WordPress administrators should ensure all users with contributor privileges or higher are properly monitored and that role-based access controls are enforced. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against XSS exploitation, while regular security audits of third-party plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, and maintain comprehensive backup systems to facilitate rapid recovery should exploitation occur. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output escaping as fundamental security practices that should be implemented across all web applications to prevent such persistent security flaws.