CVE-2019-9978

MEDIUM KEV NUCLEI LAB

Social Warfare and Social Warfare Pro < 3.5.3 - Stored Cross-Site Scripting via swp_debug Parameter

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2019-9978 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added November 3, 2021. EIP tracks 19 public exploits from researchers including Huseyin Mardinli, hash3liZer, mpgn. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (CVE-2019-9978) by injecting a malicious URL via the `swp_debug` parameter, which fetches and executes a PHP reverse shell payload hosted on an attacker-controlled server.

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.

Exploits (19)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Huseyin Mardinli · pythonwebappsmultiple
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/52346

This exploit leverages a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (CVE-2019-9978) by injecting a malicious URL via the `swp_debug` parameter, which fetches and executes a PHP reverse shell payload hosted on an attacker-controlled server.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin <= 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target WordPress site with vulnerable Social Warfare plugin · Attacker-controlled server to host payload · Network access to target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
exploitdb WORKING POC
by hash3liZer · pythonwebappsphp
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46794

This exploit targets a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (versions <= 3.5.2) by leveraging the `swp_debug` parameter to load arbitrary options from a malicious URI. The script sends a crafted request to `admin-post.php` and checks for a 500 status code to confirm exploitation.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin <= 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target WordPress site with vulnerable Social Warfare plugin installed · Network access to the target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 22 stars
by hash3liZer · remote
https://github.com/hash3liZer/CVE-2019-9978

This is a working PoC for CVE-2019-9978, an unauthenticated remote code execution vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (<=3.5.2). The exploit leverages RFI (Remote File Inclusion) to execute arbitrary commands by supplying a malicious payload URI.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin <=3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have the vulnerable Social Warfare plugin installed · Attacker must host a malicious payload file on an accessible URI
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 8 stars
by mpgn · client-side
https://github.com/mpgn/CVE-2019-9978

This repository contains a proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2019-9978, which allows unauthenticated remote code execution (RCE) in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin versions prior to 3.5.3. The exploit leverages the `swp_debug` parameter to load arbitrary options from a remote URL, leading to code execution via `eval`.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress plugin < 3.5.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have the vulnerable Social Warfare plugin installed and activated · Target must be accessible via HTTP/HTTPS
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 6 stars
by KTN1990 · remote
https://github.com/KTN1990/CVE-2019-9978

This PoC exploits CVE-2019-9978, a remote code execution vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (versions <= 3.5.2). It automates the process of checking for vulnerability and uploading a shell by leveraging the `swp_debug` parameter to load arbitrary content.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin <= 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target WordPress site with vulnerable Social Warfare plugin · Network access to the target site
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 4 stars
by yup-Ivan · remote
https://github.com/yup-Ivan/CVE-2019-9978

This PoC exploits CVE-2019-9978 in Social Warfare <= 3.5.2 by abusing the `swp_debug=load_options` parameter to fetch and execute a remote payload, resulting in a reverse shell. It requires a vulnerable WordPress instance and a listener for the shell.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress plugin <= 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Vulnerable WordPress instance with Social Warfare <= 3.5.2 · Network connectivity to the target · Listener for reverse shell
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 3 stars
by grimlockx · remote-auth
https://github.com/grimlockx/CVE-2019-9978

This is a functional exploit for CVE-2019-9978, targeting a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin before version 3.5.3. The exploit leverages an SSRF-like vulnerability to fetch a malicious payload from an attacker-controlled HTTP server and execute arbitrary commands on the target system.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress plugin < 3.5.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have the vulnerable Social Warfare plugin installed and activated · Attacker must know the target URL or IP · Attacker must have a reachable local IP and port for hosting the payload
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 2 stars
by d3fudd · remote
https://github.com/d3fudd/CVE-2019-9978_Exploit

This exploit targets CVE-2019-9978, a remote code execution vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (<=3.5.2). It leverages the `swp_debug` parameter to load a malicious PHP backdoor from an attacker-controlled server, executing arbitrary commands via base64-encoded payloads.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin <=3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target running vulnerable Social Warfare plugin · Attacker-controlled web server to host backdoor.php · Network access to target WordPress admin interface
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 1 stars
by echoosso · remote
https://github.com/echoosso/CVE-2019-9978

This is a Python 3 rewrite of an exploit for CVE-2019-9978, a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (<= 3.5.2). The exploit leverages a debug parameter to load arbitrary content from a remote URI, leading to command execution.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin <= 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have the vulnerable Social Warfare plugin installed and activated · Attacker must host a payload file on an accessible HTTP server
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by B4ntGrim · poc
https://github.com/B4ntGrim/Vuln_Remediation_MegaQuagga

This repository contains a detailed remediation report for CVE-2019-9978, focusing on the mitigation of a Remote File Inclusion (RFI) vulnerability in the social-warfare WordPress plugin. It documents defensive measures such as reverse proxy insertion, WAF deployment, SIEM integration, and SSL/TLS enforcement, validated through Wireshark PCAP analysis.

Classification
Writeup 100%
Attack Type
Rfi
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: social-warfare WordPress plugin
No auth needed
Prerequisites: WordPress installation with vulnerable social-warfare plugin
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 30, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by B4ntGrim · poc
https://github.com/B4ntGrim/Vuln_Exploitation_MegaQuagga_Pentest

This repository contains a detailed penetration test report documenting the exploitation of CVE-2019-9978 (unauthenticated RCE in the social-warfare WordPress plugin) chained with CVE-2023-4842 to achieve a persistent Meterpreter session. The report includes technical details, methodology, and remediation recommendations.

Classification
Writeup 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress social-warfare plugin v3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: WordPress with vulnerable social-warfare plugin · Network access to target
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 30, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SUSPICIOUS
by aktia1 · poc
https://github.com/aktia1/MegaQuagga_Pentesting_Report

The repository claims to exploit CVE-2019-9978 (Social Warfare plugin RCE) but provides no actual exploit code, instead pointing to an external PDF report and screenshots. This is a common social engineering lure.

Classification
Suspicious 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Theoretical
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: WordPress Social Warfare plugin
No auth needed
Prerequisites: WordPress with vulnerable Social Warfare plugin
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 25, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by Vaidehim55 · infoleak
https://github.com/Vaidehim55/CVE-2019-9978-RCE-PoC

This repository contains a Python-based PoC for CVE-2019-9978, demonstrating unauthenticated Remote File Inclusion (RFI) leading to Remote Code Execution (RCE) in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin. The exploit constructs a malicious URL to include a remote payload, confirming vulnerability via response content.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin ≤ 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Vulnerable Social Warfare plugin · Attacker-controlled HTTP server hosting payload
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec STUB
by xxoprt · poc
https://github.com/xxoprt/payloadCVE-2019-9978

The repository contains only a README.md with no meaningful content, providing no exploit code or technical details for CVE-2019-9978.

Classification
Stub 10%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: unknown
No auth needed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by Housma · poc
https://github.com/Housma/CVE-2019-9978-Social-Warfare-WordPress-Plugin-RCE

This repository contains a Python-based exploit for CVE-2019-9978, targeting the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (version <= 3.5.2). The exploit leverages the `swp_debug` parameter to include and execute a malicious PHP payload hosted on an attacker-controlled server, resulting in remote code execution via a reverse shell.

Classification
Working Poc 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin <= 3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Python 3.x · Netcat · Target domain resolution · Attacker-controlled IP and ports
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by MAHajian · remote
https://github.com/MAHajian/CVE-2019-9978

This repository contains a working proof-of-concept exploit for CVE-2019-9978, a remote code execution vulnerability in the WordPress Plugin Social Warfare versions prior to 3.5.3. The exploit leverages a malicious server to inject and execute arbitrary commands on the victim server.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress Plugin Social Warfare < 3.5.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Docker for setting up vulnerable and attacker servers · Python dependencies listed in requirements.txt
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by h8handles · client-side
https://github.com/h8handles/CVE-2019-9978-Python3

This is a Python3 conversion of the original CVE-2019-9978 exploit targeting the Social Warfare WordPress plugin (<=3.5.2). It leverages an RCE vulnerability by loading a remote payload via the `swp_debug` parameter.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin <=3.5.2
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Target must have the vulnerable Social Warfare plugin installed · Attacker must be able to host a malicious payload.txt file on a reachable server
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by 0xMoonrise · remote
https://github.com/0xMoonrise/cve-2019-9978

This is a Python-based exploit for CVE-2019-9978, which targets a vulnerability in Social Warfare plugin for WordPress. The exploit leverages an SSRF to deliver a payload that executes arbitrary system commands on the target server.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress Plugin < 3.5.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Python 3 · Requests library · Target with vulnerable Social Warfare plugin
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by cved-sources · poc
https://github.com/cved-sources/cve-2019-9978

This repository provides a Docker container setup for CVE-2019-9978, a vulnerability in the Social Warfare WordPress plugin. The script initializes a WordPress environment with the vulnerable plugin activated, allowing for exploitation testing.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Social Warfare WordPress plugin < 3.5.3
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Docker environment · WordPress installation
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (1)

WordPress Social Warfare <3.5.3 - Cross-Site Scripting
MEDIUMby madrobot,dwisiswant0
FOFA: body="social-warfare" && body="wp-"

Scores

CVSS v3 6.1
EPSS 0.7354
EPSS Percentile 99.4%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Lab Environment

COMMUNITY
Community Lab
docker pull cved/base-wordpress
+14 more repos

Details

CISA KEV 2021-11-03
VulnCheck KEV 2019-03-24
InTheWild.io 2021-07-23
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2019-19332
CWE
CWE-79
Status published
Products (2)
warfareplugins/social_warfare < 3.5.3
warfareplugins/social_warfare_pro < 3.5.3
Published Mar 24, 2019
KEV Added Nov 03, 2021
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026