CVE-2023-6830 in Formidable Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/09/2024
The Formidable Forms plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to HTML injection in versions up to, and including, 6.7. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated users to inject arbitrary HTML code into form fields. When the form data is viewed by an administrator in the Entries View Page, the injected HTML code is rendered, potentially leading to admin area defacement or redirection to malicious websites. CVE-2024-23522 appears to be a duplicate of this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-6830 affects the Formidable Forms plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions up to and including 6.7. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of form data processing within the WordPress ecosystem. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's form handling functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system through HTML injection techniques. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates without requiring authentication, meaning any user can potentially exploit it regardless of their access level or privileges within the WordPress environment.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user input when processing form submissions. When unauthenticated users submit data through forms created with Formidable Forms, the system does not adequately filter or escape HTML characters from the input fields. This allows attackers to embed malicious HTML code within form fields that gets stored in the database and subsequently rendered when administrators view the form entries through the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) conditions where web applications fail to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. The flaw essentially creates a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited across multiple sessions and user interactions within the WordPress administrative environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. When administrators access the Entries View Page to review form submissions, the injected HTML code executes within their browser context, potentially leading to severe consequences including complete administrative interface defacement, unauthorized redirection to malicious websites, or even credential theft through sophisticated phishing attacks. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active as long as the compromised form entries exist within the system, allowing attackers to maintain access to the administrative interface through the injection of malicious scripts. This type of vulnerability can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where WordPress is used for critical business processes, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive form data and potentially escalate their privileges within the WordPress installation. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread adoption of the Formidable Forms plugin across numerous WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-6830 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that have addressed the HTML injection vulnerability, as this represents the most effective and direct solution to the problem. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all user-supplied data before it is processed or stored within the system, ensuring that HTML characters are properly escaped or filtered. Network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious HTML injection attempts, particularly in environments where immediate patching is not feasible. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in form submission data that might indicate injection attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of third-party plugins within WordPress environments. Organizations should adopt a defense-in-depth approach that includes regular security audits, proper access controls, and employee training on recognizing potential security threats. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which describes the use of scripting languages for execution, and demonstrates how seemingly minor input validation flaws can create significant security risks within web applications.