CVE-2017-20096 in WP-SpamFree Anti-Spam Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/24/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in WP-SpamFree Anti-Spam Plugin 2.1.1.4. This affects an unknown part. The manipulation leads to basic cross site scripting. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2026
This vulnerability in the WP-SpamFree Anti-Spam Plugin version 2.1.1.4 represents a critical security flaw that exposes WordPress websites to cross site scripting attacks. The vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which specifically addresses the failure to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into web pages. The affected component appears to be in the plugin's core functionality where user-supplied data is not adequately validated or escaped, creating an opening for malicious actors to inject arbitrary script code into web pages viewed by other users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of the victim's browser through a remote attack vector. This means that an attacker can craft malicious payloads that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, will be executed in the browser of any user who views the affected content. The attack can be initiated without requiring any authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by anyone with access to the targeted website. The vulnerability's classification as basic cross site scripting indicates that it likely involves straightforward script injection without requiring complex exploitation techniques or additional attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to steal administrator credentials, inject malicious advertisements, or even redirect users to phishing sites that appear legitimate. The remote exploitability of this vulnerability means that attackers can target the plugin from anywhere on the internet without needing physical access to the server or direct network access to the affected WordPress installation. This characteristic significantly increases the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to automated exploit campaigns.
Security practitioners should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the WP-SpamFree plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1566 - Phishing, as the malicious scripts could be used to harvest credentials or redirect users to malicious sites. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output encoding practices as recommended by OWASP and NIST guidelines would effectively prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to further restrict script execution and reduce the potential impact of any remaining vulnerabilities.