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CVE Record

CVE-2023-0169: Zoho Forms < 3.0.1 - Contributor+ Stored XSS

The Zoho Forms WordPress plugin before 3.0.1 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in a page/post where the shortcode is embed, which could allow users with the contributor role and above to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks.

MediumCVSS 5.4Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2023-0169 is a stored cross-site scripting issue in the Zoho Forms WordPress plugin before 3.0.1. A trusted low-privilege WordPress user, such as a contributor, could save unsafe shortcode attributes that later run in another user’s browser when viewed.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate-priority CMS hygiene issue. It is not presented as actively exploited, but stored XSS can affect administrators or site visitors and should be remediated during the next normal WordPress maintenance cycle.

Technical view

The plugin did not validate and escape some shortcode attributes before rendering embedded form shortcodes in pages or posts. The CVSS 3.1 score is 5.4, with network attack vector, low attack complexity, low privileges required, user interaction required, changed scope, and low confidentiality and integrity impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to WordPress sites running Zoho Forms plugin versions before 3.0.1 where contributor-level or higher users can create or modify content containing the plugin shortcode.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. WPScan is referenced as a technical vulnerability database entry and tagged exploit, but that does not by itself prove attacks in the wild.

Researcher notes

The source bundle identifies Zoho Forms before 3.0.1, CWE-79, and shortcode attribute output escaping as the issue. Metadata has limited affected-product detail and no CPEs. Do not assume broader Zoho product impact from these sources.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade the Zoho Forms WordPress plugin to version 3.0.1 or later.
  • Review vendor and WordPress plugin guidance for any additional remediation notes.
  • Restrict contributor or higher posting rights to trusted users only.
  • Review existing posts and pages containing Zoho Forms shortcodes for unsafe attributes.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory WordPress sites using the Zoho Forms plugin.
  • Confirm each installed plugin version is 3.0.1 or later.
  • Identify posts or pages containing Zoho Forms shortcodes.
  • Check whether contributor-level users can modify affected content.
  • Confirm no suspicious shortcode changes remain after remediation.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup

Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2023-0169 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.4 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.4CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N2.32.7Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.4Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2023-0169Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
UnknownForm plugin for WordPress0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-79

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.