CVE-2022-50949 Overview
CVE-2022-50949 is a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability affecting the WordPress plugin Videos sync PDF version 1.7.4. The flaw exists because the plugin fails to sanitize the mov, pdf, mp4, webm, and ogg parameters exposed through its options panel. Authenticated attackers can inject JavaScript payloads, such as autofocus onfocus event handlers, that execute when administrators view or edit video settings. Successful exploitation enables session-context attacks against privileged users of the WordPress site. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation.
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can store malicious JavaScript in plugin settings to execute arbitrary scripts in administrator browser sessions.
Affected Products
- WordPress Plugin Videos sync PDF version 1.7.4
- Vendor: A-J Evolution
- WordPress installations with the plugin enabled and accessible to authenticated users
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-05-10 - CVE-2022-50949 published to NVD
- 2026-05-12 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2022-50949
Vulnerability Analysis
The Videos sync PDF plugin renders user-supplied values directly into HTML attributes within its options interface. Input parameters controlling media URLs, specifically mov, pdf, mp4, webm, and ogg, lack output encoding and input sanitization. An attacker with authenticated access to the plugin settings panel can submit payloads that break out of HTML attribute context and inject event handlers. The injected script persists in the plugin configuration database and executes whenever an authenticated user, including administrators, loads the affected page.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of context-aware output escaping when rendering stored configuration values. WordPress provides helpers such as esc_attr() and esc_url() for safe attribute rendering, but the plugin emits raw parameter values into the HTML response. This violates the secure coding requirement to neutralize special characters before reflecting attacker-controlled data into web pages.
Attack Vector
Exploitation requires network access to the WordPress administrative interface and an authenticated session with permission to modify plugin settings. The attacker submits a payload such as " autofocus onfocus=alert(1) x=" to any of the vulnerable parameters. The payload is stored in the plugin options and triggers JavaScript execution when any authenticated user visits the settings page. The stored nature of the flaw turns a single submission into a persistent threat against every administrator who loads the affected view.
The vulnerability mechanism is documented in the Exploit-DB entry #50874 and the VulnCheck WordPress Advisory.
Detection Methods for CVE-2022-50949
Indicators of Compromise
- Plugin option values in the WordPress database containing HTML tags, <script> strings, or event handler attributes such as onfocus=, onerror=, or onload=.
- Unexpected outbound requests from administrator browsers to attacker-controlled domains after loading plugin settings pages.
- Modifications to wp_options rows associated with the Videos sync PDF plugin from low-privilege user accounts.
Detection Strategies
- Review plugin configuration entries for non-URL content in the mov, pdf, mp4, webm, and ogg parameters.
- Inspect HTTP POST requests to wp-admin/admin.php and options.php for payloads containing quote characters followed by event handler attributes.
- Correlate WordPress audit logs for option updates by non-administrator accounts targeting the Videos sync PDF plugin.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable a web application firewall rule set that blocks XSS patterns in WordPress admin endpoints.
- Forward WordPress access logs and database change events to a centralized logging platform for rule-based alerting.
- Monitor administrator browser sessions for anomalous DOM modifications or script execution on plugin settings pages.
How to Mitigate CVE-2022-50949
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate the Videos sync PDF plugin until a vendor-supplied fix is verified.
- Audit all stored values in plugin options for injected HTML or JavaScript content and remove malicious entries.
- Restrict access to the WordPress administrative interface to trusted IP ranges and enforce multi-factor authentication for all privileged accounts.
Patch Information
No vendor patch is referenced in the published CVE record. Consult the A-J Evolution homepage and the VulnCheck WordPress Advisory for vendor updates and remediation status.
Workarounds
- Remove the Videos sync PDF plugin from any production WordPress installation running version 1.7.4.
- Limit users with manage_options or equivalent capabilities to a minimal, trusted set to reduce the attacker pool.
- Deploy Content Security Policy (CSP) headers that disallow inline event handlers and untrusted script sources on WordPress admin pages.
# Example: disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI until remediation is confirmed
wp plugin deactivate videos-sync-pdf
wp plugin status videos-sync-pdf
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
