CVE-2023-51517 in Calculated Fields Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/29/2023
URL Redirection to Untrusted Site ('Open Redirect') vulnerability in CodePeople Calculated Fields Form.This issue affects Calculated Fields Form: from n/a through 1.2.28.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2024
The CVE-2023-51517 vulnerability represents a critical open redirect flaw within the CodePeople Calculated Fields Form plugin, which is widely used for creating dynamic web forms in WordPress environments. This vulnerability enables attackers to manipulate URL redirection behavior in a manner that can lead to phishing attacks, credential theft, and other malicious activities. The affected version range spans from an unspecified initial version through 1.2.28, indicating that users operating within this range are potentially exposed to exploitation. The vulnerability specifically resides in how the plugin handles URL redirection parameters, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted links that redirect users to arbitrary external domains.
This open redirect vulnerability operates by failing to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input that is used to determine redirection targets. When the plugin processes form submissions or navigation requests containing redirect parameters, it does not adequately verify that the destination URL belongs to the trusted domain or meets security criteria. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious URLs that appear legitimate to end users while actually directing them to attacker-controlled domains. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-601 as an Open Redirect vulnerability, which is classified as a security weakness that can be exploited to bypass authentication mechanisms or trick users into revealing sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple redirection attacks, as it can serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks within the broader threat landscape. According to ATT&CK framework category T1566, this vulnerability can be leveraged for social engineering campaigns where attackers use the legitimate-looking redirects to establish trust before executing more malicious payloads. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may not immediately recognize the suspicious nature of redirecting to external domains, especially when the redirect appears to be part of a legitimate business process. Users may unknowingly navigate to phishing sites that mimic trusted services, potentially compromising credentials or sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51517 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin versions to the latest secure release. Administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures to prevent user-supplied parameters from being used in redirection contexts. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block suspicious redirect patterns, while security monitoring systems should be configured to alert on unusual redirection activities. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of verifying destination URLs before proceeding with any form submissions or navigation actions. Organizations should also consider implementing domain-based message authentication, reporting, and conformance policies to reduce the effectiveness of phishing attacks that might exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process must include thorough testing of the patched version to ensure that legitimate redirection functionality continues to operate while eliminating the security risk.