CVE-2013-10022 in Contact Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in BestWebSoft Contact Form Plugin 3.51. Affected by this issue is the function cntctfrm_display_form/cntctfrm_check_form of the file contact_form.php. The manipulation leads to cross site scripting. The attack may be launched remotely. Upgrading to version 3.52 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is 642ef1dc1751ab6642ce981fe126325bb574f898. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. VDB-225002 is the identifier assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-10022 represents a cross site scripting vulnerability within the BestWebSoft Contact Form Plugin version 3.51, specifically affecting the cntctfrm_display_form and cntctfrm_check_form functions in the contact_form.php file. This flaw exists in the WordPress plugin ecosystem and demonstrates a critical security oversight that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary web scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The vulnerability operates through the manipulation of input parameters that are not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in the web interface, creating a persistent XSS attack vector that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or privileged access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the contact form plugin's core functionality. When users submit form data or when the form is displayed on web pages, the cntctfrm_display_form and cntctfrm_check_form functions fail to adequately escape or filter user-supplied content before it is processed and rendered. This weakness creates an environment where malicious payloads can be injected through form fields or parameters, which are then executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates entirely within the web application layer, making it accessible through standard web browser interactions and requiring no specialized tools or conditions to exploit.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of web content, and redirection to malicious sites. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Scripting) and T1566.001 (Phishing) techniques, as it allows for the execution of malicious scripts and the potential for phishing attacks through compromised web forms. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can target users without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the same web application. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of user data, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information that users might submit through the contact forms.
The remediation strategy for this vulnerability involves upgrading to version 3.52 of the BestWebSoft Contact Form Plugin, which includes the patch identified by the commit hash 642ef1dc1751ab6642ce981fe126325bb574f898. This upgrade addresses the core sanitization issues within the affected functions by implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms. Security professionals should also consider implementing additional protective measures such as web application firewalls, content security policies, and regular security audits of WordPress plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into the environment. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 (Cross-site Scripting) classification, which specifically addresses the improper handling of potentially malicious input data in web applications. Organizations should prioritize this update and conduct thorough testing to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing website functionality while effectively mitigating the XSS risk.