CVE-2023-41864 in PeproDev CF7 Database Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2024
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Pepro Dev. Group PeproDev CF7 Database.This issue affects PeproDev CF7 Database: from n/a through 1.8.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2025
The CVE-2023-41864 vulnerability represents a critical Cross-Site Request Forgery flaw within the PeproDev CF7 Database plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 1.8.0. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user requests and authorization mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The issue stems from insufficient validation of request origins and lack of proper anti-CSRF token implementation within the plugin's administrative interfaces.
The technical flaw manifests through the absence of robust CSRF protection measures in the plugin's form handling and database management functions. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate users with administrative privileges, potentially enabling them to modify database configurations, manipulate form submissions, or execute destructive operations without proper authorization. This vulnerability operates at the application layer and directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of WordPress installations using the affected plugin. The flaw aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise when combined with other attack vectors. An authenticated attacker with access to the WordPress admin panel could leverage this CSRF flaw to perform unauthorized actions such as deleting form entries, modifying database structures, or even executing arbitrary code if the plugin's functionality permits such operations. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate plugin functionality but also the broader WordPress ecosystem, as compromised plugin administrators could use their elevated privileges to establish persistent backdoors or exfiltrate sensitive data. This weakness enables adversaries to operate within the target environment using legitimate user credentials, making detection more challenging.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF vulnerability, as the vendor has likely released patches containing proper anti-CSRF token implementations and request origin validation. Organizations should implement additional security measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns, comprehensive monitoring of administrative activities, and regular security audits of installed plugins. Network segmentation and principle of least privilege access controls can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1566 Phishing, as exploitation typically requires initial access through compromised credentials or social engineering. Administrators should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and ensuring all WordPress installations maintain up-to-date core versions, plugins, and themes to minimize the attack surface. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar weaknesses in other components of the web application stack.