Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This affects WordPress sites using the PCA Predict plugin up to version 1.0.3. A logged-in administrator could store malicious script content that later runs in a user’s browser. The reported severity is medium because exploitation requires high privileges and user interaction, but it can still affect confidentiality and integrity within the site session.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted hygiene issue, not an emergency. Prioritize affected WordPress sites that are internet-facing, business-critical, or have many administrator accounts. Remediate during the next security maintenance window unless local evidence suggests abuse.
Technical view
CVE-2022-40195 is an authenticated stored XSS issue in the PCA Predict WordPress plugin, reported for versions <= 1.0.3. The CVSS 3.1 score is 4.8 with high privileges required, low attack complexity, user interaction required, changed scope, and low confidentiality and integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress installations that have the PCA Predict address, email, and phone validation plugin installed at version 1.0.3 or earlier.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The vulnerability requires administrator-level access, so compromise risk is higher where admin accounts are shared, overprivileged, or poorly protected.
Researcher notes
Evidence identifies CWE-79 stored XSS with admin-level authentication required. No exploit details, patch version, or active exploitation evidence are provided in the bundle. Avoid assuming broader PCA Predict products are affected beyond the named WordPress plugin and version range.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for PCA Predict plugin version 1.0.3 or earlier.
- Check WordPress, vendor, and Patchstack guidance for fixed version or retirement status.
- Upgrade if a supported fixed release exists; otherwise disable or remove the plugin.
- Restrict WordPress administrator access to trusted users with strong authentication.
- Review administrator accounts and remove unnecessary high-privilege access.
Validation and detection
- Confirm plugin name, slug, and installed version in WordPress or asset inventory.
- Verify the affected range against CVE and Patchstack records.
- Review plugin-managed settings or content for unexpected script-like entries.
- Check admin activity logs for suspicious changes by privileged users.
- Confirm compensating controls limit who can modify plugin configuration.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-40195 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 4.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N1.72.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
4.8MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/address-email-and-phone-validation/wordpress-pca-predict-plugin-1-0-3-authenticated-stored-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability/_s_id=cveCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/address-email-and-phone-validation/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.