CVE-2023-1615 in Ultimate Addons for Contact Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
The Ultimate Addons for Contact Form 7 plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'id' parameter in versions up to, and including, 3.1.23. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers of any authorization level to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1615 affects the Ultimate Addons for Contact Form 7 plugin, a popular WordPress extension that enhances contact form functionality. This plugin, which allows users to create sophisticated contact forms with additional features, contains a critical security flaw that impacts versions up to and including 3.1.23. The vulnerability manifests as a SQL injection weakness that can be exploited by authenticated attackers regardless of their authorization level within the WordPress system. The flaw specifically resides in how the plugin handles the 'id' parameter, which is processed without proper input validation or sanitization, creating an attack vector that could compromise the underlying database infrastructure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper parameter handling within the plugin's database query construction process. When an attacker submits a request containing a malicious 'id' parameter, the plugin fails to sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into SQL queries. This lack of input sanitization follows the common pattern described in CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection vulnerabilities as weaknesses in the input validation and output encoding processes. The vulnerability allows for arbitrary SQL command injection, where attackers can append additional SQL statements to existing queries, effectively bypassing normal database access controls and potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data stored within the WordPress database.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress administrators and users who rely on the Ultimate Addons for Contact Form 7 plugin. An authenticated attacker with any level of access to the WordPress system can exploit this weakness to extract sensitive information from the database, including but not limited to user credentials, personal data, configuration settings, and potentially other database contents. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges beyond basic authentication, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by attackers who have gained access through other means such as credential theft or social engineering. This could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access to user accounts, and potential compromise of the entire WordPress installation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1615 should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the SQL injection vulnerability. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular monitoring of database queries for unusual patterns, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious SQL injection attempts, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and represents a critical threat that requires immediate attention to prevent potential data exfiltration and system compromise. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities across their WordPress environments.