CVE-2023-2563 in Contact Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/13/2023
The WordPress Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.5.7. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the function _accua_forms_form_edit_action. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to delete forms created with this plugin via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The WordPress Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin presents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that compromises the integrity of web applications relying on this popular plugin. This vulnerability affects versions up to and including 1.5.7, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who have not updated their installations. The flaw resides in the _accua_forms_form_edit_action function where nonce validation is either absent or improperly implemented, creating an exploitable gap in the plugin's security architecture. The vulnerability's severity stems from the fact that it allows unauthenticated attackers to perform destructive actions on behalf of administrators, specifically targeting form deletion capabilities within the plugin's administrative interface.
The technical exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of HTTP requests that are typically initiated by legitimate administrative actions. Attackers can craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated administrator, result in the deletion of contact forms created through the Cimatti plugin. The attack vector relies on social engineering techniques where administrators are tricked into clicking on malicious links or visiting compromised websites that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. This attack model aligns with the common CSRF attack pattern described in the CWE-352 standard, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities where attackers can manipulate the victim's browser to perform unintended actions. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-352 emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the plugin's authentication and authorization mechanisms, as it fails to properly validate the origin and intent of requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple form deletion, potentially compromising the entire contact form functionality and data integrity within WordPress installations. Administrators may lose critical contact form configurations, user submissions, and associated data without proper audit trails, creating both immediate operational disruption and potential security implications. The vulnerability's exposure to unauthenticated attackers means that any website using the affected plugin version is at risk, regardless of the administrator's security awareness or the presence of other security measures. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to the administrative interface or where administrators might be susceptible to phishing attacks. The attack's success rate is high due to the ease of crafting forged requests and the reliance on administrator trust and behavior patterns, making it a significant concern for organizations that depend on contact form functionality for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from WordPress administrators to update the Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin to a patched version that properly implements nonce validation. The recommended approach involves monitoring the plugin's official repository for security updates and implementing a comprehensive update schedule that includes all third-party plugins. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious CSRF attempts, though this approach provides only partial protection as the vulnerability exists at the application level. Security monitoring should include regular scanning of installed plugins for known vulnerabilities, with particular attention to the plugin's handling of administrative requests and form management functions. The remediation process should also include reviewing user permissions and implementing principle of least privilege access controls to minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Administrators should also establish security awareness training for staff members who might be targeted through social engineering attacks that exploit this vulnerability, as the attack's success depends largely on administrator behavior rather than technical sophistication.