CVE-2019-9568 in Forminator Contact Form
Summary
by MITRE
The "Forminator Contact Form, Poll & Quiz Builder" plugin before 1.6 for WordPress has SQL Injection via the wp-admin/admin.php?page=forminator-entries entry[] parameter if the attacker has the delete permission.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The CVE-2019-9568 vulnerability affects the Forminator plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.6, presenting a critical SQL injection flaw that could compromise WordPress installations. This vulnerability resides within the plugin's administrative interface where the entry[] parameter in the wp-admin/admin.php?page=forminator-entries endpoint is improperly sanitized. The flaw enables malicious actors with delete permissions to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the WordPress database, potentially leading to complete database compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and parameter sanitization within the plugin's administrative backend. When administrators access the form entries management interface, the entry[] parameter is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper escaping or prepared statement usage. This classic SQL injection vector allows attackers to manipulate database queries through crafted input, potentially extracting user credentials, post content, plugin configurations, and other sensitive data stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only delete permissions, which are often granted to administrators or editors in WordPress installations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by users with relatively low privilege levels.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-9568 extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to escalate privileges, modify or delete critical database entries, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress environment. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious code into database records, modify user roles and permissions, or even corrupt the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used plugin like Forminator means that numerous WordPress sites could be at risk, particularly those that have not updated to version 1.6 or later. This exposure creates a significant risk for businesses and organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence, as the compromise of a single vulnerable site could lead to broader security incidents affecting associated systems and data.
Organizations should immediately update to Forminator version 1.6 or later to address this vulnerability, as this represents the primary mitigation strategy. The patch implemented by the vendor likely includes proper input sanitization, parameterized queries, and enhanced validation of the entry[] parameter within the administrative interface. Security teams should also implement network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly around the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint, and review access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel possess delete permissions. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their WordPress installations to identify other potentially vulnerable plugins and ensure that all WordPress core files, themes, and plugins remain current with security patches. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection flaws, and represents a typical attack vector that could be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of exploitation strategies that security teams must defend against.