CVE-2024-11273
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows high-privilege WordPress users (like administrators) to inject malicious scripts into the Contact Form & SMTP Plugin settings, which then execute when other users view those settings. It affects WordPress multisite installations where unfiltered_html capability is restricted, and WordPress sites using PirateForms plugin versions before 2.6.0.
💻 Affected Systems
- PirateForms WordPress Plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
An authenticated attacker with admin privileges could inject persistent XSS payloads that steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of other users when they view plugin settings pages.
Likely Case
Malicious administrator or compromised admin account injects XSS payloads that affect other administrators or users with access to plugin settings, potentially leading to session hijacking or further privilege escalation.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and regular admin account monitoring, impact is limited to settings pages only, affecting users who can access plugin configuration.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires admin-level access to WordPress dashboard. Attack involves injecting JavaScript into plugin settings fields that lack proper sanitization.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.6.0
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/d1049a83-1298-4c8c-aeac-0055110d38fb/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin dashboard. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Contact Form & SMTP Plugin for WordPress by PirateForms'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.6.0+ from WordPress repository and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
allDisable the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate pirate-forms
Restrict Admin Access
allTemporarily limit administrator account access to only trusted users
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove admin privileges from untrusted users and implement strict access controls
- Monitor plugin settings pages for unauthorized script injections and implement Content Security Policy headers
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins → PirateForms version numberCheck Version:
wp plugin list --name=pirate-forms --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 2.6.0 or higher in WordPress admin plugins page📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual modifications to wp_options table with pirate_forms prefix
- Admin users accessing plugin settings pages with suspicious parameters
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected JavaScript loading from plugin settings pages
- External script calls from admin-ajax.php related to pirate-forms
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND (event="plugin_settings_update" AND plugin="pirate-forms") AND (parameters CONTAINS "<script>" OR parameters CONTAINS "javascript:")