CVE-2023-31220Network attack vector

Browser script execution via unescaped AJAX parameters

Published Sep 4, 2023 · Updated Apr 28, 2026

Reflected XSS in WP-EXPERTS.IN WP Categories Widget 2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to run scripts via crafted AJAX parameters. The wcw_terms_list() function returns several AJAX parameters in generated content without sufficient input sanitization or output escaping. No authentication is required, but a user must open the attacker-crafted page; the injected script then runs in that user's browser context.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.38%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Reflected XSS in WP-EXPERTS.IN WP Categories Widget 2.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to run scripts via crafted AJAX parameters. The wcw_terms_list() function returns several AJAX parameters in generated content without sufficient input sanitization or output escaping. No authentication is required, but a user must open the attacker-crafted page; the injected script then runs in that user's browser context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-31220
Published
Sep 4, 2023
Updated
Apr 28, 2026
Vendor
WP-EXPERTS.IN
Product
WP Categories Widget
Classifications
CWE-79, CAPEC-591, T1203
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 4, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 28, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=n/a <=2.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

WP-EXPERTS.IN · WP Categories Widgetversion=n/a <=2.2

Published CVSS scores

6.1WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
7.1PatchstackCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-79Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
CAPEC-591Reflected XSS
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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