CVE-2019-9978
MediumExploitedPublic exploitThe social-warfare plugin before 3.5.3 for WordPress has stored XSS via the wp-admin/admin-post.php?swp_debug=load_options swp_url parameter, as exploited in the wild in March 2019.
Published Mar 24, 2019 · Updated Jul 8, 2026 · Also known as 2fca8dba-9fe7-4ce1-8903-589e42e5604d
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2019-9978 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 6.1 v3.1) affecting Social Warfare Pro (Warfareplugins), Social Warfare (Warfareplugins).
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 24, 2019. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 73% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Social Warfare 3.5.3, Social Warfare Pro 3.5.3.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
6.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
73%
Higher than 99.4% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
4 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2019-9978 brief as a PDF
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Description
The social-warfare plugin before 3.5.3 for WordPress has stored XSS via the wp-admin/admin-post.php?swp_debug=load_options swp_url parameter, as exploited in the wild in March 2019. This affects Social Warfare and Social Warfare Pro.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CISA KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| Industry KEV feed | Mar 24, 2019 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Nov 3, 2021 | May 3, 2022 | Not reported |
| ENISA EUVD | Nov 3, 2021 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Affected Products
3 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Social Warfare ProWarfareplugins | See advisory | 3.5.3 |
| Social WarfareWarfareplugins | See advisory | 3.5.3 |
Patched Releases
Social Warfare
3.5.3
Social Warfare Pro
3.5.3
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Mar 24, 2019
Added to Industry KEV feed
Mar 24, 2019
Added to CISA KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to CIRCL KEV
Nov 3, 2021
Added to ENISA EUVD
Nov 3, 2021
Last updated
Jul 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-79 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
References
- advisoryhttps://twitter.com/warfareplugins/status/1108852747099652099
- advisoryhttps://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9238
- advisory46794
- advisoryhttps://www.wordfence.com/blog/2019/03/unpatched-zero-day-vulnerability-in-social-warfare-plugin-exploited-in-the-wild/
- advisoryhttps://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/2fca8dba-9fe7-4ce1-8903-589e42e5604d?source=api-prod
FAQ
Common Questions.
The social-warfare plugin before 3.5.3 for WordPress has stored XSS via the wp-admin/admin-post.php?swp_debug=load_options swp_url parameter, as exploited in the wild in March 2019.
Affected: Social Warfare Pro (Warfareplugins); Social Warfare (Warfareplugins). The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Mar 24, 2019.
Yes. It was added on Nov 3, 2021 with a federal remediation due date of May 3, 2022.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Social Warfare 3.5.3, Social Warfare Pro 3.5.3.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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