CVE-2023-45070
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts via specially crafted URLs in the Form Maker by 10Web WordPress plugin. When victims click these links, the scripts execute in their browser context, potentially stealing session cookies or performing actions on their behalf. All WordPress sites using vulnerable versions of this plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Form Maker by 10Web – Mobile-Friendly Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder WordPress plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator session cookies, gain administrative access to WordPress sites, install backdoors, deface websites, or pivot to internal network attacks if the WordPress instance has internal network access.
Likely Case
Attackers create phishing links that steal user session cookies when clicked, leading to account compromise and potential data theft from affected WordPress sites.
If Mitigated
With proper web application firewalls and input validation, malicious scripts would be blocked before reaching users, preventing successful exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Reflected XSS vulnerabilities are commonly weaponized in phishing campaigns and require minimal technical skill to exploit.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.15.19 or later
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Form Maker by 10Web'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.15.19+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
allDeploy a WAF with XSS protection rules to block malicious script injection attempts.
Disable vulnerable plugin
linuxTemporarily disable the Form Maker plugin until patching is possible.
wp plugin deactivate form-maker
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources.
- Use browser security extensions that block reflected XSS attacks for all users.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Form Maker by 10Web version number. If version is 1.15.18 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get form-maker --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify the plugin version shows 1.15.19 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual GET/POST requests containing script tags or JavaScript code in URL parameters
- Multiple failed XSS attempts in web server logs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with suspicious parameters containing <script>, javascript:, or encoded payloads
SIEM Query:
source="web_server_logs" AND ("<script" OR "javascript:" OR "%3Cscript" OR "%22%3E%3Cscript") AND uri_path="*form-maker*"🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/form-maker/wordpress-form-maker-by-10web-mobile-friendly-drag-drop-contact-form-builder-plugin-1-15-18-reflected-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/form-maker/wordpress-form-maker-by-10web-mobile-friendly-drag-drop-contact-form-builder-plugin-1-15-18-reflected-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
