CVE-2015-9333 in cforms2 Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The cforms2 plugin before 14.6.10 for WordPress has SQL injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The cforms2 plugin for WordPress represents a widely used contact form solution that has historically been vulnerable to critical security flaws. This particular vulnerability affects versions prior to 14.6.10 and exposes the plugin to SQL injection attacks through improper input validation. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied data is directly incorporated into SQL queries without adequate sanitization or parameterization, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors to manipulate database operations. The flaw exists within the plugin's handling of form data processing, where input parameters are not properly escaped or validated before being used in database queries.
The technical implementation of this SQL injection vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to employ prepared statements or proper input sanitization techniques when processing form submissions. Attackers can craft malicious input that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, alters the intended SQL query structure. This allows for unauthorized database access, data manipulation, and potentially complete database compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper validation or escaping. The attack surface extends beyond simple data retrieval to include data modification, deletion, and potential privilege escalation within the database environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond the immediate plugin functionality, as it provides attackers with persistent access to WordPress database contents. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of the WordPress installation, including access to user credentials, post content, configuration settings, and potentially other connected systems. The vulnerability affects any WordPress site using the vulnerable cforms2 plugin version, making it a significant risk for organizations that have not updated to the patched release. Database administrators and security teams face increased risk of data breaches, content tampering, and potential regulatory compliance violations that could result from unauthorized database access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 14.6.10 or later, which implements proper input validation and parameterized query execution. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including web application firewall rules to detect and block SQL injection patterns, database query logging for anomaly detection, and regular security audits of installed plugins. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the updated plugin to ensure compatibility with existing form configurations. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks. The incident underscores the need for regular security assessments and the implementation of defense-in-depth strategies that protect against multiple attack vectors. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely updates of all WordPress components.