CVE-2026-66616 in Form Maker Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2026
Unauthenticated Cross Site Scripting (XSS) in Form Maker by 10Web <= 1.15.46 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as an unauthenticated cross-site scripting flaw within the Form Maker plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to and including 1.15.46, represents a significant security risk due to its lack of authentication requirements. This characteristic allows any remote attacker with network access to the targeted web application to exploit the weakness without needing valid credentials or prior login sessions. The core technical flaw stems from insufficient sanitization and validation of user-supplied input within specific form submission endpoints or configuration interfaces handled by the plugin. When a malicious actor submits a crafted payload containing executable JavaScript code, the application fails to properly escape special characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and ampersands before rendering the data back in the browser context. This failure enables the injection of arbitrary scripts that execute within the victim's web session, effectively bypassing standard same-origin policies designed to isolate content from different sources.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which classifies improper neutralization of input during web page generation as Cross-site Scripting. The attack vector typically involves embedding malicious script tags or event handlers within form fields that are subsequently displayed on the frontend interface without adequate filtering. Because the exploitation does not require authentication, the barrier to entry for attackers is significantly lowered compared to authenticated XSS vulnerabilities. This accessibility makes it a prime target for automated scanning tools and opportunistic attacks aimed at compromising large numbers of WordPress installations. The persistence of this flaw in older versions highlights potential gaps in the plugin's security review process or delayed patch deployment cycles that leave users exposed during critical windows of vulnerability exposure.
The operational impact of exploiting this unauthenticated XSS is severe, primarily centering on session hijacking and credential theft. An attacker can craft a phishing link containing their malicious payload and distribute it to legitimate administrators through social engineering tactics such as email spoofing or compromised communication channels. When an administrator clicks the link while logged into their WordPress dashboard, the injected script executes in the context of that privileged session. This allows the attacker to steal sensitive cookies, including authentication tokens and session identifiers, which can then be used to impersonate the administrator. Beyond account takeover, the vulnerability enables data exfiltration where sensitive information stored within forms or associated databases is transmitted to an external server controlled by the attacker. Additionally, attackers may use this access to deface websites, inject malware into legitimate pages, or redirect users to malicious sites, thereby damaging the reputation and integrity of the affected organization.
In terms of industry frameworks, this vulnerability maps directly to MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059, specifically sub-technique 007 for JavaScript execution. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit also correlates with initial access vectors often seen in web application attacks where low-barrier entry points are prioritized by adversaries seeking quick compromises. The lack of authentication requirement places this vulnerability in a higher severity category within many risk assessment models, as it removes one of the primary layers of defense typically provided by identity and access management systems. Organizations relying on Form Maker must recognize that even non-administrative users or public-facing visitors can trigger these conditions if they interact with vulnerable form elements, making proactive mitigation essential for maintaining security posture.
To mitigate this vulnerability, immediate action is required to update the Form Maker plugin to a version newer than 1.15.46 where the input validation and output encoding mechanisms have been corrected by the developers at 10Web. If updating is not immediately feasible due to compatibility concerns with other plugins or custom code modifications, administrators should implement web application firewall rules that detect and block common XSS payloads in HTTP request parameters associated with form submissions. These rules can serve as a temporary compensating control while patches are applied. Furthermore, implementing strict Content Security Policy headers on the WordPress site can significantly reduce the impact of any successful exploitation by restricting the sources from which scripts are allowed to execute. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input handling flaws in other plugins or custom themes that may share the same architectural weaknesses regarding data sanitization practices.