CVE-2026-57427 in Lock Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2026
Unauthenticated Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in Download Monitor - WPForms Lock <= 1.0.4 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
This vulnerability affects the Download Monitor plugin for WordPress, specifically in versions up to and including 1.0.4 where it interacts with WPForms Lock functionality. The issue manifests as an unauthenticated cross site scripting flaw that allows remote attackers to inject malicious scripts into the web application's response without requiring any authentication credentials. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, particularly in parameters related to file download tracking or form processing within the WPForms Lock integration.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes certain HTTP request parameters that are directly reflected in the HTML response without proper encoding or sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious URLs containing script tags or other XSS payloads that get executed in the context of a victim's browser when they access the affected page. This typically involves manipulating query string parameters or form fields that are not properly escaped before being rendered back to users, creating a persistent vector for code injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of the affected website, or redirecting users to phishing sites. Since the vulnerability is unauthenticated, any user visiting the compromised page can be targeted, making it particularly dangerous for websites that rely heavily on user engagement and file downloads. The vulnerability becomes more severe when considering that download monitoring systems often contain sensitive information about user activities and file access patterns.
The attack surface is further expanded by the integration with WPForms Lock which suggests that the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged to target form submissions or authentication flows within WordPress environments. This creates opportunities for attackers to escalate their impact beyond simple XSS execution. Security frameworks such as CWE-79 provide classification for this type of vulnerability where inadequate input validation allows malicious scripts to be embedded in web pages viewed by other users, while ATT&CK framework references the technique T1059.002 for command and scripting interpreter usage through script-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected plugin versions to the latest secure releases that address the input validation gaps. Organizations should also implement proper output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, particularly in areas where user-supplied data is reflected back to browsers. Additional defensive measures include implementing content security policies to restrict script execution, deploying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious payloads, and conducting regular security audits of plugin installations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and output sanitization as fundamental security controls, with recommendations aligning with OWASP Top 10 security practices for preventing XSS attacks in web applications.