CVE-2024-13451 in Contact Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/02/2025
The Contact Form by Bit Form: Multi Step Form, Calculation Contact Form, Payment Contact Form & Custom Contact Form builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 2.17.4 via file uploads due to insufficient directory listing prevention and lack of randomization of file names. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive data including files uploaded via a form. The vulnerability was partially patched in version 2.17.5.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13451 affects the Contact Form by Bit Form plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 2.17.4. This plugin serves as a comprehensive contact form builder that supports multi-step forms, calculations, payments, and custom form configurations. The security flaw manifests through inadequate protection mechanisms during file upload processes, creating a pathway for unauthorized data extraction. The vulnerability stems from insufficient directory listing prevention measures and the absence of proper randomization in file naming conventions, which together create predictable file access patterns that attackers can exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's handling of uploaded files within its directory structure. When users submit forms containing file uploads, the plugin stores these files in predictable locations with sequential or easily guessable filenames. The lack of proper directory listing prevention means that attackers can enumerate available files through directory traversal techniques or by directly accessing known file paths. Additionally, the absence of randomization in filename generation allows attackers to predict file locations based on submission patterns or timestamps, enabling them to access files that should remain private or restricted.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes organizations to significant risks including data breaches, intellectual property theft, and compliance violations. Attackers can potentially access sensitive files uploaded through contact forms such as documents, images, or other media that users intended to keep private. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate content of form submissions but also any files that might have been uploaded through the plugin's file handling mechanisms. This exposure can lead to unauthorized access to personal information, business documents, or other confidential data that organizations rely on for their operations.
The partial patch implemented in version 2.17.5 addresses some aspects of the vulnerability but may not fully resolve all exploitation vectors. Organizations should prioritize updating to the latest available version of the plugin to mitigate the risk. However, administrators should also implement additional defensive measures including proper file access controls, regular security audits of uploaded content, and monitoring for unusual file access patterns. Network segmentation and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses Information Exposure, and represents a classic example of inadequate access control in web applications. The flaw demonstrates how predictable file naming and insufficient directory protection can create exploitable conditions for information disclosure attacks. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving credential access and data extraction through web application vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the T1566.001 sub-technique related to credential access through exploitation of vulnerabilities in web applications.
Security practitioners should conduct thorough assessments of their WordPress installations to identify all instances of the vulnerable plugin and ensure proper patching procedures are followed. Regular monitoring of file upload directories and implementing proper file type validation can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures for handling potential data exposure events and maintain comprehensive backup strategies to recover from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper file handling security measures in web applications and the necessity of regular security updates to protect against known exploits.