CVE-2025-67979: WPForms Google Sheet Connector RCE Flaw

CVE-2025-67979 Overview

A code injection vulnerability has been identified in the WPForms Google Sheet Connector plugin for WordPress, developed by WesternDeal. This vulnerability, classified as CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code), allows attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on affected WordPress installations. The vulnerability affects all versions of the gsheetconnector-wpforms plugin through version 4.0.1.

Code injection vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins represent a severe security risk as they can allow unauthenticated or authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code within the context of the web application, potentially leading to complete site compromise, data theft, or further lateral movement within the hosting infrastructure.

Critical Impact

Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability enabling attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable WordPress sites running WPForms Google Sheet Connector plugin versions up to 4.0.1.

Affected Products

• WPForms Google Sheet Connector (gsheetconnector-wpforms) versions through 4.0.1
• WordPress sites utilizing the affected plugin for form-to-Google Sheets integration
• Web servers hosting vulnerable WordPress installations

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-20 - CVE CVE-2025-67979 published to NVD
• 2026-02-20 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-67979

Vulnerability Analysis

The WPForms Google Sheet Connector plugin contains a code injection vulnerability that stems from improper control over code generation mechanisms within the plugin. This type of vulnerability occurs when user-controlled input is incorporated into dynamically generated code without adequate sanitization or validation.

WordPress plugins that integrate with external services like Google Sheets often handle complex data transformations and API communications. When these operations involve dynamic code construction—such as building queries, constructing callback handlers, or processing form data—inadequate input validation can create injection points that attackers can exploit.

The impact of successful exploitation is severe, as code injection in a WordPress context typically grants the attacker the same privileges as the web server process. This can enable attackers to read sensitive files, modify database contents, create backdoor accounts, inject malware into site content, or pivot to attack other systems on the network.

Root Cause

The vulnerability originates from improper control of code generation within the gsheetconnector-wpforms plugin. Specifically, the plugin fails to adequately sanitize or validate input before incorporating it into dynamically executed code. This represents a classic CWE-94 vulnerability pattern where the boundary between code and data is not properly maintained.

In WordPress plugin development, code injection vulnerabilities commonly arise from unsafe use of functions like eval(), create_function(), call_user_func(), or preg_replace() with the /e modifier, particularly when processing user-supplied data such as form submissions or API responses.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for this vulnerability involves submitting specially crafted input through the plugin's data processing mechanisms. An attacker could potentially exploit this vulnerability by:

1. Identifying endpoints or form fields processed by the WPForms Google Sheet Connector
2. Crafting malicious payloads designed to break out of the data context and inject executable code
3. Submitting the payload through normal plugin functionality
4. Achieving code execution when the plugin processes the malicious input

The specific attack surface depends on whether authentication is required to access the vulnerable functionality. Given the nature of form connector plugins, there may be unauthenticated attack vectors available through form submission processing.

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-67979

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected PHP files created in WordPress directories, particularly in /wp-content/plugins/gsheetconnector-wpforms/
• Anomalous outbound network connections from the web server to unknown external hosts
• Modified plugin files with injected code or obfuscated content
• Suspicious entries in web server access logs showing unusual POST requests to plugin endpoints
• New administrative user accounts created without authorization

Detection Strategies

• Deploy Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with rules to detect code injection patterns in form submissions
• Monitor WordPress file integrity using security plugins or host-based intrusion detection systems
• Implement log analysis for suspicious PHP execution patterns and error messages indicating code injection attempts
• Utilize SentinelOne Singularity to detect anomalous process spawning from web server processes

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable verbose logging for the WordPress application and review logs for injection attempt patterns
• Configure alerts for file system changes within the WordPress installation directory
• Monitor network traffic from the web server for unexpected outbound connections
• Set up scheduled plugin vulnerability scans using WordPress security services

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-67979

Immediate Actions Required

• Immediately update the WPForms Google Sheet Connector plugin to a patched version when available
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily deactivating the gsheetconnector-wpforms plugin until a fix is released
• Audit web server logs for any signs of exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability
• Review WordPress user accounts for any unauthorized additions or privilege changes
• Implement Web Application Firewall rules to block code injection attempts

Patch Information

Site administrators should monitor the official WordPress plugin repository and the Patchstack security advisory for patch release announcements. Ensure automatic updates are enabled for plugins or establish a process for prompt manual updates when security patches become available.

Workarounds

• Deactivate and remove the WPForms Google Sheet Connector plugin if not critical to operations
• Implement strict WAF rules to filter potentially malicious input to the plugin's endpoints
• Restrict access to WordPress administrative functions using IP allowlisting
• Consider using alternative form-to-spreadsheet solutions that are not affected by this vulnerability
• Enable WordPress hardening measures such as disabling file editing from the admin panel

# WordPress configuration hardening
# Add to wp-config.php to disable file editing
define('DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT', true);

# Add to wp-config.php to disable plugin/theme installation
define('DISALLOW_FILE_MODS', true);