Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-45825 is a reflected cross-site scripting issue in the iThemes WPComplete WordPress plugin. A successful attack would require a user to interact with attacker-controlled content, but it could still affect site users or administrators through browser-executed script.
Executive priority
Prioritize this for WordPress estates that run WPComplete, especially sites with administrator traffic. It is not confirmed as actively exploited in the provided sources, but the unauthenticated and public-web nature makes timely validation appropriate.
Technical view
The bundle describes unauthenticated reflected XSS, CWE-79, in WPComplete. CVSS 3.1 is 7.1 with network access, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, changed scope, and low confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on public WordPress sites using the WPComplete plugin. The source bundle is inconsistent on affected versions, naming <=2.9.2 in the description and <=2.9.4 in the title, so version validation needs vendor confirmation.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or other cited evidence of active exploitation. Because exploitation requires user interaction, realistic risk depends on whether attackers can get users or administrators to open crafted links or content.
Researcher notes
Key uncertainty is the affected range: the title says <=2.9.4 while the description says <=2.9.2. Do not assume exploitability or fixed status from the bundle alone; confirm with vendor/Patchstack records and local plugin versions.
Mitigation direction
- Identify WordPress sites running the WPComplete plugin.
- Compare installed versions against CVE and Patchstack guidance.
- Update or remove WPComplete if a vulnerable version is present.
- Check iThemes or Patchstack for fixed-release guidance.
- Use WAF controls only as temporary risk reduction.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WPComplete presence and versions across WordPress sites.
- Confirm whether the plugin is active on internet-facing sites.
- Review vendor and Patchstack records for affected-version clarification.
- Check logs for suspicious requests targeting WPComplete paths.
- Validate remediation by confirming the plugin is updated or removed.
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-2022-45825 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
- High
- CVSS
- 7.1 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
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:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L2.83.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.1HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wpcomplete/wordpress-wpcomplete-plugin-2-9-2-cross-site-scripting-xss?_s_id=cveCVE reference · vdb-entry
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.