Ultimate FAQs Plugin - XSS (CVE-2019-17233)

CVE-2019-17233 is a vulnerability in the ultimate-faqs plugin for WordPress (up to version 1.8.24) that allows attackers to inject arbitrary HTML content via the EWD_UFAQ_Import.php function. This flaw could be exploited to perform attacks such as defacement, phishing, or injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 24th of September 2025.

According to CrowdSec data, while opportunistic exploitation dominates, a portion of threat actors trying to exploit CVE-2019-17233 apply basic targeting methods such as port or service detection. This indicates emerging patterns of selective targeting. CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2019-17233 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit the /wp-admin/admin.php?page=EWD-UFAQ-Options&DisplayPage=ImportPosts&Action=EWD_UFAQ_ImportFaqsFromSpreadsheet endpoint to upload malicious CSV files, resulting in HTML content injection that is later rendered via the /?ufaq= parameter on the public site.