CVE-2023-2114
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in the NEX-Forms WordPress plugin allows attackers to manipulate database queries by injecting malicious SQL through the 'table' parameter. WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of the plugin are affected, potentially exposing sensitive data.
💻 Affected Systems
- NEX-Forms WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Nex Forms by Basixonline
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise including data theft, modification, or deletion; potential privilege escalation to administrative access.
Likely Case
Data extraction from WordPress database including user credentials, form submissions, and sensitive site information.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper input validation and parameterized queries in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
SQL injection via user-controlled parameter requires minimal technical skill to exploit.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 8.4 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/nex-forms/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find NEX-Forms plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin, then install fresh version 8.4+ from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allAdd custom input validation for table parameter before plugin processes it
Add custom filter in theme functions.php or custom plugin: add_filter('pre_nex_forms_table_param', 'sanitize_text_field');
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Immediately deactivate and remove the NEX-Forms plugin from production sites
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns targeting the table parameter
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for NEX-Forms version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=nex-forms --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm NEX-Forms plugin version is 8.4 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual database queries containing table parameter manipulation
- Multiple failed SQL queries from single IP
- SQL error messages in WordPress debug logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests with SQL injection patterns in table parameter
- Unusual traffic to NEX-Forms plugin endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND "table" AND ("UNION" OR "SELECT" OR "INSERT" OR "DELETE" OR "UPDATE")