CVE-2022-0591 in FormCraft Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/21/2022
The FormCraft WordPress plugin before 3.8.28 does not validate the URL parameter in the formcraft3_get AJAX action, leading to SSRF issues exploitable by unauthenticated users
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2022
The FormCraft WordPress plugin vulnerability CVE-2022-0591 represents a critical server-side request forgery flaw that affects versions prior to 3.8.28. This vulnerability resides within the formcraft3_get AJAX action where the plugin fails to properly validate the URL parameter, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthenticated attackers to make arbitrary requests from the vulnerable server. The issue stems from insufficient input sanitization and validation mechanisms that should have been implemented to prevent external URL references from being processed without proper verification. This flaw directly violates security best practices for web application development and represents a classic example of insecure direct object references as classified under CWE-601. The vulnerability enables attackers to leverage the target server's network connectivity to perform unauthorized requests to internal systems or external services, potentially exposing sensitive infrastructure components.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the AJAX endpoint that handles formcraft3_get actions, where the URL parameter is processed without adequate validation checks. An attacker can craft malicious requests that include crafted URLs, potentially causing the vulnerable WordPress installation to make HTTP requests to internal network resources or external malicious servers. The lack of URL validation means that the plugin accepts any URL input without verifying its legitimacy or ensuring it conforms to expected patterns. This allows attackers to target internal systems such as databases, administrative interfaces, or other network services that might be accessible from the web server hosting the vulnerable plugin. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires no authentication, making it accessible to anyone who can interact with the WordPress site, and it can be exploited to enumerate internal services or exfiltrate data from the internal network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for further exploitation within the network environment. Successful exploitation can lead to internal network reconnaissance, where attackers can map internal services and systems that would otherwise be hidden from external access. This capability enables more sophisticated attacks such as credential harvesting, service enumeration, or even lateral movement within the network. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged for extended attack campaigns, as it allows attackers to maintain access to internal resources without requiring additional authentication mechanisms. Organizations using vulnerable versions of FormCraft plugin face significant risk of unauthorized access to internal systems, potential data breaches, and compromise of network infrastructure that could affect multiple applications and services within the same environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0591 should prioritize immediate patching of the FormCraft plugin to version 3.8.28 or later, which contains the necessary validation fixes for the URL parameter handling. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions that prevent the web server from making outbound requests to internal network segments, effectively limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms at the application level can provide defense-in-depth measures that would protect against similar vulnerabilities in other components. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual outbound network requests from the web server, particularly those targeting internal IP ranges or unusual ports. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol: DNS and T1046 for network service scanning, making it a significant concern for organizations implementing comprehensive threat hunting and incident response procedures. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other plugins or components within the WordPress environment, ensuring that the entire attack surface remains protected against similar server-side request forgery threats.