CVE-2019-9978

CRITICALNVD 6.19.0▲
EchelonGraph scoreHIGH confidence

Score elevated to 9.0 because this CVE is listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (added 2021-11-03), indicating real-world exploitation has been confirmed by US federal agencies. NVD baseline CVSS 6.1 retained for reference. Confidence: HIGH.

Triggered by: CISA KEV (actively exploited)
Sources: cisa_kev, epss, ghsa, nvd
Trending — 3 sources updated this weekExploited in the wild
9.0EG
EchelonGraph verdictMitigate nowTreat as an emergency — this is being exploited.
  • Actively exploited in the wild (CISA-KEV)
CISA-KEV: ExploitedEPSS PROB: 73%CVSS: 6.1Exploit: cisa kev · ssvc active · epss top5pct · epss high · public exploitExposed services: Not assessed

No fix is confirmed yet — apply a workaround or compensating control (WAF / firewall / segmentation) and watch for the fix.

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.

CVSS v3
6.1
EG Score
9.0CRITICALhigh confidence
EG Risk
81
EG Risk 81/100CISA SSVC

EG Risk is EchelonGraph's 0–100 priority score: it fuses intrinsic severity with real-world exploitation and automatability so you can rank equal-severity CVEs and fix the most dangerous first. Higher = act sooner. Distinct from the 0–10 EG Score (severity).

How it’s computed
Severity90% × 45%
Exploitation100% × 40%
Automatability0% × 15%
CISA SSVC: Track at low or medium mission impact; Attend at high (mission-essential systems).
Action: No fix is confirmed yet. Restrict network exposure of the affected system or apply the vendor's mitigation within your standard update timelines at low or medium mission impact and sooner than that at high, and watch the vendor's advisory for the fix.
EPSS PROB
73%
EPSS %ILE
99th
KEV
⚠ Exploited

CISA SSVCTrack at low or medium mission impact; Attend at high (mission-essential systems).

No fix is confirmed yet. Restrict network exposure of the affected system or apply the vendor's mitigation within your standard update timelines at low or medium mission impact and sooner than that at high, and watch the vendor's advisory for the fix.

Exploitation active (CISA Vulnrichment) · Automatable no (CISA Vulnrichment) · Technical impact partial (CISA Vulnrichment). Mission impact is CISA's Mission & Well-being decision point, and only you can judge it: high means the affected system is essential to your organisation's mission, or its compromise could cause irreversible harm to people. CISA's decision table

Published

March 24, 2019

Last Modified

November 7, 2025

Advisory Details (5)

Auto-updated Jun 13, 2026
⚠️ Active exploitation confirmed. No fix on record yet.
genericMentions a patch (unverified)🔴 Active Exploitation

SB2019032105 - Stored XSS in Social Warfare WordPress plugin

https://www.cybersecurity-help.cz/vdb/SB2019032105
generic

Social Sharing Plugin – Social Warfare – WordPress plugin | WordPress.org

https://wordpress.org/plugins/social-warfare/#developers
generic

Warfare Plugins on X: "On the afternoon of March 21, 2019, we were made aware of Zero-Day vulnerability affecting websites using the Social Warfare plugin. https://t.co/M0DjCoc6Ho" / X

https://twitter.com/warfareplugins/status/1108852747099652099
generic🔴 Active Exploitation

Zero-Day Stored XSS in Social Warfare

https://blog.sucuri.net/2019/03/zero-day-stored-xss-in-social-warfare.html
generic

Packet Storm

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152722/Wordpress-Social-Warfare-Remote-Code-Execution.html

Weakness Classification(1)

MITRE Common Weakness Enumeration — the root-cause categories this CVE belongs to.

Data Freshness Timeline

(refreshed 50× in last 7d / 231× in last 30d)

Each row is a source pipeline that fetched or updated this CVE on that date, with what changed. For example, "NVD update" means NVD published or revised its analysis for this CVE; "MITRE cvelistV5" means we ingested or refreshed it from the CNA feed. Most recent first.

Showing the most recent 100 of 995 total refreshes for this CVE.

  1. 2026-10-09 22:13 UTCGHSA enrichment
  2. 2026-10-09 18:19 UTCGHSA enrichment
  3. 2026-10-09 14:23 UTCGHSA enrichment
  4. 2026-10-09 10:27 UTCGHSA enrichment
  5. 2026-10-09 06:32 UTCGHSA enrichment
  6. 2026-10-09 02:37 UTCGHSA enrichment
  7. 2026-10-08 22:43 UTCGHSA enrichment
  8. 2026-10-08 18:49 UTCGHSA enrichment
  9. 2026-10-08 14:55 UTCGHSA enrichment
  10. 2026-10-08 11:01 UTCGHSA enrichment
  11. 2026-10-08 07:07 UTCGHSA enrichment
  12. 2026-10-08 03:13 UTCEG score recompute
  13. 2026-10-08 03:12 UTCGHSA enrichment
  14. 2026-10-07 23:43 UTCEPSS rescore
  15. 2026-10-07 23:18 UTCGHSA enrichment
  16. 2026-10-07 19:23 UTCGHSA enrichment
  17. 2026-10-07 15:28 UTCGHSA enrichment
  18. 2026-10-07 11:34 UTCGHSA enrichment
  19. 2026-10-07 07:38 UTCGHSA enrichment
  20. 2026-10-07 03:44 UTCGHSA enrichment
  21. 2026-10-06 23:50 UTCGHSA enrichment
  22. 2026-10-06 19:55 UTCGHSA enrichment
  23. 2026-10-06 16:01 UTCEG score recompute
  24. 2026-10-06 16:01 UTCGHSA enrichment
  25. 2026-10-06 15:13 UTCEPSS rescore
Show 75 more
  1. 2026-10-06 12:07 UTCGHSA enrichment
  2. 2026-10-06 08:13 UTCGHSA enrichment
  3. 2026-10-06 04:19 UTCGHSA enrichment
  4. 2026-10-06 00:23 UTCGHSA enrichment
  5. 2026-10-05 20:28 UTCGHSA enrichment
  6. 2026-10-05 16:34 UTCGHSA enrichment
  7. 2026-10-05 12:41 UTCGHSA enrichment
  8. 2026-10-05 08:46 UTCGHSA enrichment
  9. 2026-10-05 04:52 UTCGHSA enrichment
  10. 2026-10-05 00:57 UTCGHSA enrichment
  11. 2026-10-05 00:55 UTCGHSA enrichment
  12. 2026-10-04 20:58 UTCGHSA enrichment
  13. 2026-10-04 17:01 UTCGHSA enrichment
  14. 2026-10-04 13:06 UTCGHSA enrichment
  15. 2026-10-04 09:09 UTCGHSA enrichment
  16. 2026-10-04 05:14 UTCGHSA enrichment
  17. 2026-10-04 01:20 UTCGHSA enrichment
  18. 2026-10-03 21:25 UTCGHSA enrichment
  19. 2026-10-03 17:31 UTCEG score recompute
  20. 2026-10-03 17:31 UTCGHSA enrichment
  21. 2026-10-03 14:22 UTCEPSS rescore
  22. 2026-10-03 13:37 UTCGHSA enrichment
  23. 2026-10-03 09:42 UTCGHSA enrichment
  24. 2026-10-03 05:45 UTCGHSA enrichment
  25. 2026-10-03 01:48 UTCGHSA enrichment
  26. 2026-10-02 21:54 UTCGHSA enrichment
  27. 2026-10-02 17:59 UTCGHSA enrichment
  28. 2026-10-02 14:05 UTCGHSA enrichment
  29. 2026-10-02 10:11 UTCGHSA enrichment
  30. 2026-10-02 06:17 UTCGHSA enrichment
  31. 2026-10-02 02:23 UTCGHSA enrichment
  32. 2026-10-01 22:27 UTCEG score recompute
  33. 2026-10-01 22:27 UTCGHSA enrichment
  34. 2026-10-01 18:33 UTCGHSA enrichment
  35. 2026-10-01 14:37 UTCGHSA enrichment
  36. 2026-10-01 10:43 UTCGHSA enrichment
  37. 2026-10-01 06:49 UTCGHSA enrichment
  38. 2026-10-01 02:53 UTCGHSA enrichment
  39. 2026-09-30 22:59 UTCGHSA enrichment
  40. 2026-09-30 19:05 UTCGHSA enrichment
  41. 2026-09-30 15:11 UTCGHSA enrichment
  42. 2026-09-30 11:16 UTCGHSA enrichment
  43. 2026-09-30 07:22 UTCGHSA enrichment
  44. 2026-09-30 03:27 UTCGHSA enrichment
  45. 2026-09-29 23:31 UTCGHSA enrichment
  46. 2026-09-29 19:36 UTCGHSA enrichment
  47. 2026-09-29 15:41 UTCGHSA enrichment
  48. 2026-09-29 11:46 UTCGHSA enrichment
  49. 2026-09-29 07:52 UTCGHSA enrichment
  50. 2026-09-29 03:58 UTCGHSA enrichment
  51. 2026-09-29 00:02 UTCEG score recompute
  52. 2026-09-29 00:02 UTCGHSA enrichment
  53. 2026-09-28 20:06 UTCGHSA enrichment
  54. 2026-09-28 16:08 UTCGHSA enrichment
  55. 2026-09-28 12:11 UTCGHSA enrichment
  56. 2026-09-28 08:17 UTCGHSA enrichment
  57. 2026-09-28 04:23 UTCGHSA enrichment
  58. 2026-09-28 00:29 UTCGHSA enrichment
  59. 2026-09-27 21:51 UTCCISA KEV update
  60. 2026-09-27 20:35 UTCGHSA enrichment
  61. 2026-09-27 16:40 UTCEG score recompute
  62. 2026-09-27 16:40 UTCGHSA enrichment
  63. 2026-09-27 13:40 UTCEPSS rescore
  64. 2026-09-27 12:46 UTCGHSA enrichment
  65. 2026-09-27 08:51 UTCGHSA enrichment
  66. 2026-09-27 04:57 UTCGHSA enrichment
  67. 2026-09-27 01:02 UTCGHSA enrichment
  68. 2026-09-26 21:08 UTCGHSA enrichment
  69. 2026-09-26 17:14 UTCEG score recompute
  70. 2026-09-26 17:14 UTCGHSA enrichment
  71. 2026-09-26 15:54 UTCEPSS rescore
  72. 2026-09-26 13:17 UTCGHSA enrichment
  73. 2026-09-26 09:22 UTCGHSA enrichment
  74. 2026-09-26 05:28 UTCGHSA enrichment
  75. 2026-09-26 01:33 UTCGHSA enrichment

Publicly available exploits

(10 references)

Working exploit code is in the public domain (7 GitHub PoCs) (2 Exploit-DB entries). Defenders should treat patch urgency accordingly — public PoCs typically lead to mass-exploitation within 24-72 hours.

  • GitHub PoCTokyoHunter/CVE-2019-9978-Social-Warfare-WordPress-RCE
    First seen Jul 7, 2026

    A complete walkthrough and exploit for CVE-2019-9978 - Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution in Social Warfare WordPress plugin ≤ 3.5.2. Includes vulnerable code analysis and payload examples.

    Open source ↗
  • GitHub PoCyup-Ivan/CVE-2019-9978
    First seen Jan 25, 2026

    POC (RCE) -> CVE-2019-9978

    Open source ↗
  • Exploit-DBEDB-52346
    First seen Jun 26, 2025

    Social Warfare WordPress Plugin 3.5.2 - Remote Code Execution (RCE)

    Open source ↗
  • GitHub PoCgrimlockx/CVE-2019-9978
    First seen Jan 20, 2023

    Remote Code Execution in Social Warfare Plugin before 3.5.3 for Wordpress.

    Open source ↗
  • GitHub PoCd3fudd/CVE-2019-9978_Exploit
    First seen Nov 15, 2022

    Social WarFare Plugin (<=3.5.2) Remote Code Execution

    Open source ↗
  • GitHub PoCKTN1990/CVE-2019-9978
    First seen May 6, 2019

    Wordpress Social Warfare Remote Code Execution (AUTO UPLOAD SHELL)

    Open source ↗
  • Exploit-DBEDB-46794
    First seen May 3, 2019

    WordPress Plugin Social Warfare < 3.5.3 - Remote Code Execution

    Open source ↗
  • GitHub PoChash3liZer/CVE-2019-9978
    First seen May 3, 2019

    CVE-2019-9978 - (PoC) RCE in Social WarFare Plugin (<=3.5.2)

    Open source ↗
  • GitHub PoCmpgn/CVE-2019-9978
    First seen Mar 25, 2019

    CVE-2019-9978 - RCE on a Wordpress plugin: Social Warfare < 3.5.3

    Open source ↗
  • Nucleihttp/cves/2019/CVE-2019-9978.yaml
    First seen Jan 1, 2019

    WordPress Social Warfare <3.5.3 - Cross-Site Scripting

    Open source ↗

Related CVEs(same CWE)

Frequently asked(6)

What is CVE-2019-9978?
CVE-2019-9978 is a critical vulnerability published on March 24, 2019. The social-warfare plugin before 3.5.3 for WordPress has stored XSS via the wp-admin/admin-post.php?swpdebug=loadoptions swp_url parameter, as exploited in the wild in March 2019. This affects Social Warfare and Social Warfare Pro.
When was CVE-2019-9978 disclosed?
CVE-2019-9978 was first published on March 24, 2019, with the most recent update on November 7, 2025. EchelonGraph re-ingests CVE updates from NVD on a 2-hour cycle, so this page reflects the latest published state.
Is CVE-2019-9978 actively exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2019-9978 to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on November 3, 2021, affecting WordPress Social Warfare Plugin. KEV listing indicates confirmed exploitation in the wild; this CVE warrants immediate attention. No fix is confirmed yet. Restrict network exposure of the affected system or apply the vendor's mitigation, and watch the vendor's advisory for the fix.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2019-9978?
CVE-2019-9978 has a CVSS v3 base score of 6.1 (NVD). EchelonGraph synthesises NVD + CISA KEV + FIRST EPSS + GHSA into a combined EG score of 9.0 (CRITICAL).
Which products are affected by CVE-2019-9978?
CVE-2019-9978 affects WordPress Social Warfare Plugin.
How do I remediate CVE-2019-9978?
No fix for CVE-2019-9978 is confirmed yet. Until one is published, restrict network exposure of the affected system or apply the vendor's mitigation — for example, keep it off the internet or limit it to trusted networks — and watch the vendor's advisory for the fix.

Dependency Blast Radius

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