CVE-2022-4473: The Widget Shortcode WordPress plugin through 0.3.5 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attribu

Q: How do I fix CVE-2022-4473?

widget shortcode: upgrade to newer than 0.3.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2022-4473 being exploited?

CVE-2022-4473 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2022-4473 affect?

CVE-2022-4473 affects widget shortcode. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.4). The Widget Shortcode WordPress plugin through 0.3.5 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in the page, which could allow users with a role as low as contributor to perform Stored Cross-Sit

Q: How urgent is CVE-2022-4473?

Priority 35/100. Public exploit reference

Routine

MEDIUM 5.4UPGRADE

CVE-2022-4473 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.4) affecting widget shortcode. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Widget Shortcode WordPress plugin through 0.3.5 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in the page, which could allow users with a role as low as contributor to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks which could be used against high privilege users such as admins.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.4 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 55%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2023-02-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: widget shortcode project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-02-13 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

widget shortcode project widget shortcode UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.3.5

Fixed in: newer than 0.3.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy widget-shortcode || rpm -q widget-shortcode || widget-shortcode --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.3.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade widget-shortcode

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade widget-shortcode

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2022-4473?

widget shortcode: upgrade to newer than 0.3.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2022-4473 being exploited?

CVE-2022-4473 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2022-4473 affect?

CVE-2022-4473 affects widget shortcode. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.4). The Widget Shortcode WordPress plugin through 0.3.5 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in the page, which could allow users with a role as low as contributor to perform Stored Cross-Sit

How urgent is CVE-2022-4473?

Priority 35/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

References

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