CVE-2024-6770 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79, found in the Lifetime free Drag & Drop Contact Form Builder for WordPress VForm plugin, affecting all versions up to and including 2.1.5. The root cause is insufficient input sanitization and output escaping during web page generation, which allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into pages generated by the plugin. When a user accesses a page containing the injected script, the malicious code executes in the context of the victim’s browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the user. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.2 reflects a network attack vector with low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, and a scope change, impacting confidentiality and integrity but not availability. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability’s characteristics make it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise WordPress sites using this plugin. The plugin’s popularity in the WordPress ecosystem means a broad attack surface, especially for websites that rely on this contact form builder for user interaction. The lack of available patches at the time of reporting further exacerbates the risk, necessitating immediate mitigation strategies.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-6770 is on the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites and their users. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of site visitors, which can lead to theft of sensitive information such as cookies, session tokens, or personal data. Attackers may also perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, including changing account settings or conducting phishing attacks. Although availability is not directly affected, the reputational damage and potential data breaches can have significant operational and financial consequences for organizations. Given WordPress’s widespread use globally, especially among small to medium businesses and content-driven websites, the vulnerability poses a substantial risk to a large number of sites. The unauthenticated nature of the exploit increases the likelihood of automated scanning and exploitation attempts, potentially leading to widespread compromise if unmitigated. Organizations relying on this plugin may face regulatory compliance issues if user data is exposed, alongside increased costs related to incident response and remediation.

Organizations should immediately assess their use of the VForm plugin and upgrade to a patched version once available. In the absence of an official patch, temporary mitigations include disabling or removing the vulnerable plugin to eliminate the attack surface. Web application firewalls (WAFs) can be configured to detect and block common XSS payloads targeting the plugin’s endpoints. Implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can help mitigate the impact of injected scripts by restricting script execution sources. Site administrators should also audit user-generated content and sanitize inputs manually if feasible. Monitoring web server and application logs for suspicious requests or unusual input patterns can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Additionally, educating site users about the risks of phishing and suspicious links can reduce the impact of successful attacks. Finally, maintaining regular backups and a robust incident response plan will help organizations recover quickly if exploitation occurs.