Joinchat: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via {HREF} variable
Summary
The WordPress plugin Joinchat (Enhanced click to chat, floating WhatsApp button) does not sanitize or escape input in the {HREF} dynamic variable. An unauthenticated attacker can craft a link that injects arbitrary web scripts into pages, which run in the browser of a visitor who clicks the link. Exploitation requires that an administrator has configured a telephone number and uses the {HREF} variable in the Call-to-Action text.
Affected
- Joinchat (WordPress plugin) versions 0 to 6.3.1 (per CVE record)
- Default configuration: not affected unless the conditions above are met
Fixed in
- Version 6.3.2 contains a fix for this XSS (per vendor changelog; diff not independently verified)
- Version 6.4.2 or later is recommended, because a separate stored XSS (CVE-2026-118071) affects 6.3.2 up to 6.4.2 and is fixed in 6.4.2
Workaround
- Upgrade to version 6.4.2 or later (vendor-level fix)
- Until patched, check whether the Call-to-Action text contains {HREF} and remove it if it is not needed
- Check whether the phone number setting is in use where it is not necessary
- A Web Application Firewall may help detect requests with known XSS payloads in query parameters (generic guidance, not tested)
Exploitation
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Public proof-of-concept: none found
- In-the-wild exploitation: no evidence found; status unknown, as the CVE was published recently
Our recommendation
- Check whether Joinchat is installed on your WordPress sites and which version is active
- Update to version 6.4.2 or later, after confirming the current latest version on wordpress.org
- Review whether the Call-to-Action text uses {HREF} and whether the phone number setting is needed
- Prioritise public sites and sites where staff use the admin area
- Monitor for unusual logins and changes to pages after the update
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- CVE Record CVE-2026-15785 www.cve.org
- Wordfence threat intelligence entry www.wordfence.com
- WordPress.org plugin listing (Joinchat changelog) wordpress.org
- Trac changeset 6.3.1 to 6.3.2 plugins.trac.wordpress.org
- VulDB CVE-2026-15785 vuldb.com
- VulDB vulnerability 435697 vuldb.com
- OffSeq Radar CVE-2026-118071 (related XSS) radar.offseq.com
- TheHackerWire CVE-2026-15785 www.thehackerwire.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 11 Nov 2026, 14:12.
Original description (NVD)
The Joinchat – Enhanced "click to chat" plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via '{HREF}' Dynamic Variable via Query Parameter Name in all versions up to, and including, 6.3.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link. Exploitation requires that an administrator has configured a telephone number and included the {HREF} dynamic variable in the Call-to-Action text.
NVD references (10)
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/creame-whatsapp-me/tags/6.2.3/includes/class-joinchat-util.php#L272
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/creame-whatsapp-me/tags/6.2.3/includes/class-joinchat-util.php#L344
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/creame-whatsapp-me/tags/6.2.3/public/class-joinchat-public.php#L381
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/creame-whatsapp-me/tags/6.2.3/public/partials/html.php#L46
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/creame-whatsapp-me/tags/6.3.1/includes/class-joinchat-util.php#L272
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/creame-whatsapp-me/tags/6.3.1/includes/class-joinchat-util.php#L344
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/creame-whatsapp-me/tags/6.3.1/public/class-joinchat-public.php#L381
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/creame-whatsapp-me/tags/6.3.1/public/partials/html.php#L46
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?reponame=&new=3656273%40creame-whatsapp-me%2Ftags%2F6.3.2&old=36…
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/1dcf9af8-efdd-4f43-8d33-e62290c81ddd?source=cve
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.