CVE-2020-22276
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2020-22276 is a CSV injection vulnerability in the WeForms WordPress plugin version 1.4.7 that allows attackers to inject malicious formulas into exported CSV files. When administrators export form entries containing attacker-controlled data, opening the CSV in spreadsheet software can execute arbitrary commands. This affects WordPress sites using the vulnerable WeForms plugin version.
💻 Affected Systems
- WeForms WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Weforms by Weformspro
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could execute arbitrary commands on administrator workstations when they open malicious CSV exports, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious formulas that execute when administrators open CSV exports in Excel or similar software, potentially stealing credentials or installing malware.
If Mitigated
With proper security controls like disabling automatic formula execution in spreadsheets and limiting plugin access, impact is reduced to data manipulation without code execution.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires attacker to submit malicious form data and administrator to export and open CSV. No authentication bypass needed for form submission.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.4.8 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/weforms/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find WeForms plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download latest version from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable CSV export functionality
allRemove or restrict access to form entry export features in WeForms plugin settings
Configure spreadsheet software security
allDisable automatic formula execution in Excel/LibreOffice/Google Sheets
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict WeForms plugin access to trusted administrators only
- Implement web application firewall rules to block CSV injection payloads
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for WeForms version 1.4.7Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=weforms --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify WeForms plugin version is 1.4.8 or higher after update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual form submissions with formula characters (=, +, -, @)
- Multiple CSV export requests from single IP
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with weforms_export_entries action
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("weforms_export_entries" OR "CSV export") AND ("=" OR "+" OR "-" OR "@")🔗 References
- http://uploadboy.com/tvvs4p2gf03m/887/mp4
- https://cert.ikiu.ac.ir/public-files/news/document/CVE-99/CVE-2020-22276.pdf
- https://filebin.net/khncr59vyfztn6wj
- http://uploadboy.com/tvvs4p2gf03m/887/mp4
- https://cert.ikiu.ac.ir/public-files/news/document/CVE-99/CVE-2020-22276.pdf
- https://filebin.net/khncr59vyfztn6wj
