CVE-2022-4448 : Security Advisory and Response

A stored XSS vulnerability has been identified in the GiveWP WordPress plugin before version 2.24.0, potentially allowing contributors and above to execute malicious scripts on affected websites.

Understanding CVE-2022-4448

This CVE record highlights a security issue within the GiveWP plugin, exposing websites to stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

What is CVE-2022-4448?

The GiveWP WordPress plugin, prior to version 2.24.0, fails to properly validate and escape certain shortcode attributes. This oversight enables users with contributor privileges or higher to inject malicious scripts using the affected shortcode.

The Impact of CVE-2022-4448

The vulnerability poses a risk of stored XSS attacks, where threat actors could inject harmful scripts through the GiveWP plugin. This could result in unauthorized script execution and potential site takeover by attackers.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-4448

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, outlining affected systems, exploitation mechanisms, and more.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in GiveWP version 2.24.0 and below allows contributors and higher roles to embed malicious scripts via unvalidated shortcode attributes, leading to stored Cross-Site Scripting vulnerabilities.

Affected Systems and Versions

GiveWP versions prior to 2.24.0 are impacted by this vulnerability, exposing websites that utilize the plugin to potential XSS attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the lack of input validation in the plugin's shortcode attributes, malicious users with contributor privileges or greater can inject and execute harmful scripts within the website's context.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting your website from CVE-2022-4448 requires immediate action and adherence to robust security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update GiveWP to version 2.24.0 or later to mitigate the risk of stored XSS attacks.
Monitor website activity for any suspicious behavior or unexpected script executions.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugin code for security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on secure coding practices to prevent similar XSS issues in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by GiveWP and promptly install patches to address known vulnerabilities.