CVE-2023-26326 – The BuddyForms WordPress plugin before version ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-26326?

CVE-2023-26326 has a CVSS score of 9.8 (CRITICAL). The BuddyForms WordPress plugin before version 2.7.8 contains an unauthenticated insecure deserialization vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this without credentials to execute arbitrary PHP code on affected WordPress sites, potentially leading to complete system compromise. All WordPress installations using BuddyForms versions below 2.7.8 are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

The BuddyForms WordPress plugin before version 2.7.8 contains an unauthenticated insecure deserialization vulnerability. Attackers can exploit this without credentials to execute arbitrary PHP code on affected WordPress sites, potentially leading to complete system compromise. All WordPress installations using BuddyForms versions below 2.7.8 are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

BuddyForms WordPress Plugin

Versions: All versions before 2.7.8

Operating Systems: All operating systems running WordPress

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires WordPress installation with BuddyForms plugin enabled. No special configuration needed for exploitation.

📦 What is this software?

Buddyforms by Themekraft

View all CVEs affecting Buddyforms →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Complete server takeover with remote code execution, data theft, malware deployment, and persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Website defacement, data exfiltration, cryptocurrency mining, or use as part of a botnet.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation, web application firewalls, and minimal plugin privileges.

🌐 Internet-Facing: HIGH

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires a POP chain (property-oriented programming chain) to achieve code execution, but such chains are commonly available for WordPress plugins.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: 2.7.8

Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/buddyforms/#developers

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find BuddyForms and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version shows 2.7.8 or higher.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable BuddyForms Plugin

all

Temporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patching is possible

wp plugin deactivate buddyforms

Web Application Firewall Rule

all

Block requests containing PHAR wrapper patterns

Add WAF rule to block: *phar://* in request parameters

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable BuddyForms plugin immediately
Implement strict network segmentation and monitor for suspicious activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → BuddyForms version number

Check Version:

wp plugin get buddyforms --field=version

Verify Fix Applied:

Confirm BuddyForms version is 2.7.8 or higher in WordPress admin

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Unusual POST requests to BuddyForms endpoints
PHAR wrapper strings in web server logs
Sudden plugin file modifications

Network Indicators:

Unexpected outbound connections from web server
HTTP requests with serialized data payloads

SIEM Query:

source="web_logs" AND (uri="*buddyforms*" AND (data="*phar://*" OR data="*O:*"))

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-26326

CVSS v3 Score: 9.8 (CRITICAL)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-502

Published: February 23, 2023

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2023-7 Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://www.tenable.com/security/research/tra-2023-7 Exploit,Third Party Advisory

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2023-26326, you might also want to check these: