CVE-2024-13403
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with Contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious JavaScript into WPForms plugin pages. The injected scripts execute whenever other users view the compromised pages, enabling session hijacking, credential theft, or content manipulation. All WordPress sites using vulnerable WPForms versions are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WPForms 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 content, or redirect visitors to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers inject malicious scripts to steal user session cookies, redirect users to phishing pages, or display unwanted advertisements.
If Mitigated
With proper user access controls and content security policies, impact is limited to potential data leakage from users viewing compromised pages.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires Contributor-level access. The vulnerability is in client-side JavaScript handling, making exploitation straightforward once authenticated.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.9.3.2
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpforms-lite/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find WPForms plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 1.9.3.2+ from WordPress.org and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict User Roles
allTemporarily restrict or remove Contributor-level access until patching is complete.
Implement Content Security Policy
allAdd CSP headers to restrict script execution sources.
Add to .htaccess: Header set Content-Security-Policy "script-src 'self'"
Add to wp-config.php: header("Content-Security-Policy: script-src 'self'");
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict user role management and audit all users with Contributor access or higher
- Enable WordPress security plugins with XSS protection features and monitor for suspicious form submissions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WPForms plugin version in WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins. If version is 1.9.3.1 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=wpforms --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
After updating, verify WPForms version shows 1.9.3.2 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual form submissions with JavaScript payloads in fieldHTML parameter
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful Contributor-level login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from WordPress pages
- Unexpected JavaScript includes in form page responses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" AND ("fieldHTML" AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onload" OR "onerror"))🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wpforms-lite/trunk/assets/js/frontend/wpforms.js#L172
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3230497/wpforms-lite/trunk/assets/js/frontend/wpforms.js?old=3223577&old_path=wpforms-lite%2Ftrunk%2Fassets%2Fjs%2Ffrontend%2Fwpforms.js
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/wpforms-lite/#developers
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/92ea6a89-b14f-4252-b886-e219c1bb658d?source=cve
