CVE-2023-47693 in Ultimate Addons for Contact Form 7 Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Themefic Ultimate Addons for Contact Form 7 allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Ultimate Addons for Contact Form 7: from n/a through 3.2.6.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-47693 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Themefic Ultimate Addons for Contact Form 7 plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified initial state through version 3.2.6. This security weakness stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that permit unauthorized users to exploit functionality that should be restricted to authorized administrators only. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin fails to properly validate user permissions before executing sensitive operations, creating a pathway for malicious actors to bypass intended security controls.
This missing authorization vulnerability falls under the broader category of inadequate access control mechanisms and aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems. The flaw enables attackers to perform actions that require administrative privileges without possessing the necessary authorization, potentially allowing them to modify plugin configurations, access sensitive data, or manipulate contact form submissions. The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it affects the fundamental security model of the plugin, undermining the trust model that should protect administrative functions from unauthorized access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for WordPress installations utilizing the affected plugin, as it creates a persistent security risk that can be exploited by attackers with minimal technical expertise. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of contact form management, potentially allowing unauthorized users to access form data, modify submission handling, or even inject malicious content into the form processing pipeline. Given that contact forms often collect sensitive user information such as personal details, credentials, or business data, this flaw could lead to data breaches, privacy violations, and potential regulatory compliance issues.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through improperly configured access controls. The exploitation of this flaw typically requires minimal reconnaissance as the vulnerability exists within the plugin's access control implementation rather than requiring complex attack vectors. Organizations running affected versions should prioritize immediate remediation through plugin updates, as the vulnerability creates a persistent backdoor that could be exploited repeatedly until patched.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin version updates to the latest available release, which should contain the necessary access control fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to administrative interfaces and consider implementing additional monitoring for unusual administrative activities. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications, particularly in plugins that handle user data and administrative functions. Security audits should specifically examine plugin access control mechanisms to identify similar issues that could compromise system integrity and user data protection.