CVE-2023-5204 - Chatbot Plugin
CVE-2023-5204
The ChatBot plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the $strid parameter in versions up to, and including, 4.8.9 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
CVE-2023-5204
CRITICAL
CVSS 9.8
Published 2023-10-19
Updated 2025-05-12
AI Risk Critical (100/100)
Active Exploit: Likely
Published Exploit: Public exploit references found
Priority: P1 Immediate
Severity Band
CRITICAL
CVSS Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Affected Components
2
Reference Links
4
AI Risk Engine
Critical (100/100)
Exploitability
Very High
Active Exploitation
Likely
Published Exploit Status
Public exploit references found
AI Context
Machine-generated threat intelligence
AI
Updated 6 days ago
AI enriched 6 days ago (2026-04-09 06:21 UTC)
Technical Summary
The ChatBot plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the $strid parameter in versions up to, and including, 4.8.9 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
Potential Impact
Severity is CRITICAL (CVSS 9.8). Depending on deployment context, affected components may be exposed to unauthorized actions or data integrity risk.
Exploitability Assessment
Exploitability is assessed as Very High based on published exploit references, remote code execution potential, low-bar exploit prerequisites.
Primary risk drivers: published exploit references, remote code execution potential, low-bar exploit prerequisites
Mitigation Recommendations
Validate affected product versions, prioritize patching, and monitor references for vendor remediation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, apply compensating controls and limit exposure of vulnerable surfaces.
Detection & Monitoring
Track authentication anomalies, unexpected file writes, and suspicious plugin API activity around affected components.
Business Impact Lens
Prioritize remediation where affected components process customer data, admin sessions, or Internet-exposed workflows.