CVE-2023-7063
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts into WordPress sites using WPForms Pro plugin. When users visit pages containing these injected forms, the scripts execute automatically, potentially stealing credentials or performing unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites using WPForms Pro versions up to 1.8.5.3 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WPForms Pro WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Wpforms by Wpforms
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator credentials, take over the WordPress site, install backdoors, deface the site, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious scripts that steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or display unwanted advertisements.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output escaping, the scripts would be rendered harmless as text rather than executable code.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires submitting specially crafted form data that gets stored and later displayed without proper sanitization.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.8.5.4
Vendor Advisory: https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-view-recent-changes-to-the-wpforms-plugin-changelog/#1-8-5-4-2023-12-27
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find WPForms Pro and click 'Update Now'. 4. Verify version shows 1.8.5.4 or higher.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WPForms Pro Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate wpforms-pro
Restrict Form Access
allUse WordPress access controls to restrict form submissions to authenticated users only
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with XSS protection rules
- Monitor form submissions for suspicious script-like patterns and block malicious IPs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WPForms Pro version in WordPress admin under Plugins → Installed PluginsCheck Version:
wp plugin get wpforms-pro --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify WPForms Pro version is 1.8.5.4 or higher and test form submissions with basic XSS payloads📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual form submissions containing script tags or JavaScript code
- Multiple failed form submissions from same IP
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with suspicious parameters
- Form submissions containing <script> tags
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND ("wpforms" OR "admin-ajax.php") AND ("<script>" OR "javascript:" OR "onerror=" OR "onload=")🔗 References
- https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-view-recent-changes-to-the-wpforms-plugin-changelog/#1-8-5-4-2023-12-27
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/31c080b8-ba00-4e96-8961-2a1c3a017004?source=cve
- https://wpforms.com/docs/how-to-view-recent-changes-to-the-wpforms-plugin-changelog/#1-8-5-4-2023-12-27
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/31c080b8-ba00-4e96-8961-2a1c3a017004?source=cve
