CVE-2023-49856 in Smart Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in RedNao Smart Forms allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Smart Forms: from n/a through 2.6.84.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-49856 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the RedNao Smart Forms plugin, which operates as a WordPress form management solution. This security weakness stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that fail to adequately verify user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability exists across all versions of the Smart Forms plugin from the initial release through version 2.6.84, indicating a widespread issue affecting a significant portion of users who rely on this form building tool for their websites.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under the category of inadequate access control as classified by CWE-285, where the system fails to properly authenticate or authorize users attempting to access restricted functionality. In the context of RedNao Smart Forms, this manifests when unauthenticated or unauthorized users can potentially access administrative panels, form configurations, or data management interfaces that should only be available to legitimate administrators. The flaw likely occurs during the validation of user credentials or session management processes where the application does not properly verify whether the requesting user possesses sufficient privileges to perform the requested action.
From an operational impact perspective, this missing authorization vulnerability creates significant risks for organizations utilizing the affected plugin. Attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to form data, modify form configurations, or potentially escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment. The implications extend beyond simple data exposure as malicious actors might leverage this access to inject malicious code, alter form submissions, or manipulate the underlying database structures. The vulnerability particularly affects users who may have administrative accounts compromised or those who do not maintain proper security practices around their WordPress installations.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting the privilege escalation and credential access phases. The flaw enables adversaries to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and access restricted functionality without proper authorization, which represents a fundamental breakdown in the application's security model. Organizations using RedNao Smart Forms should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern given its potential to allow complete administrative access to WordPress sites through the compromised plugin.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-49856 should include immediate patching of the Smart Forms plugin to version 2.6.85 or later, which contains the necessary authorization fixes. System administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular monitoring of user access logs, implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also review their current access control policies and ensure that proper principle of least privilege is maintained across all administrative functions to minimize the potential impact of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their WordPress infrastructure.