CVE-2018-10504 in Form Maker by WD
Summary
by MITRE
The WebDorado "Form Maker by WD" plugin before 1.12.24 for WordPress allows CSV injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2025
The CVE-2018-10504 vulnerability affects the WebDorado Form Maker by WD plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.12.24, presenting a significant security risk through CSV injection exploitation. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's data handling mechanisms, particularly when processing user-submitted form data that gets exported to CSV format. The issue manifests when malicious actors craft specially formatted input strings that, upon export to CSV files, can execute arbitrary commands or scripts within vulnerable applications that open these files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because CSV files are commonly opened in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and LibreOffice Calc, which interpret certain characters and prefixes as executable commands. When a user opens a malicious CSV file, the spreadsheet application may attempt to execute formulas or commands embedded in the data, leading to potential remote code execution or data exfiltration. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-1236, which specifically addresses the improper handling of potentially malicious input in spreadsheet applications. The attack vector typically involves an attacker submitting crafted input through a WordPress form that gets stored and later exported to CSV format, creating a malicious payload that can be executed when the file is opened by an unsuspecting user. The vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the plugin's data export functionality, as it demonstrates how seemingly benign data handling processes can become attack vectors for more sophisticated exploits.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the inherent behavior of spreadsheet applications that process CSV files. When a CSV file contains certain prefixes such as equals signs, formulas, or command sequences, these are interpreted by spreadsheet applications as executable instructions rather than plain text data. The WebDorado plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before exporting it to CSV format, allowing attackers to inject malicious content that can trigger arbitrary code execution when the file is opened. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001, which involves executing malicious code through command and scripting interpreters, as the vulnerability enables attackers to leverage spreadsheet applications as delivery mechanisms for their payloads. The flaw occurs at the data export layer where user input flows directly into CSV generation without proper validation or sanitization, creating a pathway for attackers to inject malicious formulas or commands that can execute within the context of the spreadsheet application. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can enable attackers to access sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions, or even establish persistence within the victim's environment. The specific nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or direct access to the WordPress installation itself, instead relying on social engineering to get users to open the malicious CSV file.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10504 is substantial, as it can lead to widespread compromise of systems that process exported form data from vulnerable WordPress installations. Organizations using the affected plugin may unknowingly distribute malicious CSV files to employees, clients, or partners who could inadvertently execute code when opening these files in spreadsheet applications. This creates a chain of potential compromise that can extend throughout an organization's network, especially in environments where spreadsheet files are routinely shared and opened by multiple users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where form submissions might contain sensitive data or where the exported files are shared across different security domains. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform reconnaissance, establish backdoors, or escalate privileges within compromised systems, making it a valuable tool for advanced persistent threats. The impact is further amplified by the fact that many users may not be aware of the security implications of opening CSV files from untrusted sources, creating a significant social engineering component to the attack. This vulnerability also represents a significant risk to compliance and regulatory requirements, as it can lead to unauthorized data access and potential data breaches that violate various security standards and frameworks. The attack can be executed remotely without requiring direct access to the WordPress system, making it difficult to detect and trace back to its source. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability when assessing risk in WordPress environments and implementing security controls to protect against such attacks. The vulnerability's persistence and potential for widespread impact make it a critical concern for organizations that rely on form processing and data export functionalities within their WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10504 should focus on immediate plugin updates and implementation of additional security controls. The primary and most effective mitigation is updating the WebDorado Form Maker by WD plugin to version 1.12.24 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the CSV injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures at multiple levels, ensuring that all user-submitted data is properly escaped or encoded before being exported to CSV format. Network administrators should consider implementing security controls that restrict the opening of potentially malicious files, including configuring spreadsheet applications to disable automatic formula execution or prompt users before executing embedded commands. The implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring systems can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts by monitoring for suspicious form submission patterns or unusual data export activities. Organizations should also establish security awareness training for users to educate them about the risks of opening CSV files from untrusted sources and the potential for malicious content within spreadsheet files. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege management can limit the impact if an attacker does successfully exploit the vulnerability. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially affected plugins or components within the WordPress environment. The mitigation approach should also include establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle CSV injection attacks and ensuring that security teams are prepared to respond quickly to any exploitation attempts. Organizations should consider implementing data loss prevention measures that monitor for sensitive data being exported in potentially malicious formats, providing an additional layer of protection against this type of vulnerability.