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CVE Record

CVE-2022-4217: Chained Quiz <= 1.3.2.2 - Authenticated (Admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Mailchimp API Key

The Chained Quiz plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'api_key' parameter in versions up to, and including, 1.3.2.2 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-4217 is a stored cross-site scripting issue in the WordPress Chained Quiz plugin through version 1.3.2.2. An administrator can save unsafe content in the Mailchimp API key field, causing script execution when the affected admin page is viewed.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate hygiene issue. It is not a broad unauthenticated compromise path, but it can amplify damage from a compromised or malicious administrator account and should be fixed during normal WordPress maintenance.

Technical view

The flaw is CWE-79 caused by insufficient sanitization and output escaping of the api_key parameter. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5 with high privileges required, network reachability, changed scope, and low confidentiality and integrity impact. Sources identify affected versions up to and including 1.3.2.2.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to WordPress sites using Chained Quiz version 1.3.2.2 or earlier with Mailchimp integration settings reachable by administrators. Risk is higher where many users hold admin privileges or admin accounts are weakly protected.

Exploitation context

The issue requires authenticated administrator privileges. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not establish active in-the-wild exploitation. A public gist is referenced, so defenders should assume technical details may be available without treating it as confirmed active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The source bundle supports admin-plus stored XSS via api_key and affected versions through 1.3.2.2. It does not provide confirmed exploitation, a KEV listing, or detailed business impact beyond low confidentiality and integrity impact. Avoid assuming non-admin exploitability.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade Chained Quiz to a release newer than 1.3.2.2 if available.
  • Check WordPress plugin changelog and vendor guidance for the exact fixed release.
  • Restrict WordPress administrator access to trusted users only.
  • Require MFA and strong passwords for WordPress administrator accounts.
  • Review saved Mailchimp API key settings for unexpected content.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory WordPress sites using the Chained Quiz plugin.
  • Confirm installed plugin versions are not 1.3.2.2 or earlier.
  • Review administrator accounts and recent admin activity for anomalies.
  • Inspect affected plugin settings for unexpected script-like content.
  • Verify the plugin update is deployed in staging before production.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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 · medium confidence lookup

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.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-4217 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
6Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N2.32.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-4217Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
prasunsenChained Quiz0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-79

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.