CVE-2017-13137 in FormCraft Basic Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The FormCraft Basic plugin 1.0.5 for WordPress has SQL injection in the id parameter to form.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13137 affects the FormCraft Basic plugin version 1.0.5 for WordPress, representing a critical SQL injection flaw that undermines the security integrity of affected web applications. This vulnerability exists within the form.php script where the id parameter is improperly handled, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute unauthorized database operations. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, and system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications. The vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input from the id parameter is directly incorporated into SQL query construction without proper sanitization or parameterization. This primitive input handling enables attackers to inject malicious SQL code that can be executed by the database server, bypassing normal authentication and authorization mechanisms. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a widely used WordPress plugin, making numerous websites susceptible to exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on WordPress platforms with the affected FormCraft plugin. Attackers can exploit this flaw to extract sensitive data including user credentials, personal information, and business-critical data stored in the database. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as malicious actors could potentially modify database contents, delete records, or even escalate privileges to gain administrative control over affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to a broad range of threat actors from script kiddies to sophisticated attackers.
The remediation strategy for CVE-2017-13137 involves immediate patching of the FormCraft Basic plugin to version 1.0.6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations should also implement input validation measures and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in other components of their web applications. Security best practices recommend conducting regular vulnerability assessments and maintaining updated security patches across all WordPress plugins and themes. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security risks, particularly addressing the critical need for preventing injection flaws in web applications.