CVE-2024-1668 in Avada Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/13/2024
The Avada | Website Builder For WordPress & WooCommerce theme for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in versions up to and including 7.11.5 via the form entries page. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor access and above, to view the contents of all form submissions, including fields that are obfuscated (such as the contact form's "password" field).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1668 affects the Avada theme for WordPress, specifically impacting versions up to and including 7.11.5. This security flaw resides within the form entries page functionality of the theme, which is commonly used for managing contact forms and other user submission mechanisms within WordPress websites. The issue represents a significant concern for website administrators who rely on the Avada theme for their online presence, particularly those utilizing its contact form capabilities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects the theme's handling of sensitive data within form submissions, creating potential exposure risks for user information that should remain confidential.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and data protection mechanisms within the theme's form management system. Authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level privileges or higher can exploit this weakness to access all form submissions stored within the system. This includes not only standard form fields but specifically those that are designed to be obfuscated or hidden, such as password fields within contact forms. The flaw essentially bypasses the intended security measures that should protect sensitive user information from unauthorized access, allowing attackers to view the complete contents of form entries regardless of their intended confidentiality level. This represents a clear violation of data protection principles and demonstrates insufficient input validation and access control implementation within the theme's codebase.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-1668 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates potential risks for user privacy and data security across affected WordPress installations. Website administrators who use the Avada theme for managing contact forms, user registration systems, or other data collection mechanisms face significant exposure risks. The vulnerability allows attackers to access potentially sensitive information that users might have submitted through forms, including personal details, login credentials, or other confidential data that should remain protected. This exposure could lead to identity theft, credential compromise, or other security incidents that could damage both user trust and organizational reputation. The impact is particularly severe given that the vulnerability affects users with relatively low privilege levels, making it accessible to individuals who might not typically have access to such sensitive data within a typical WordPress security model.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Information Gathering tactic. The flaw represents a privilege escalation issue within the theme's access control mechanisms, where users with contributor-level permissions can access data that should be restricted to administrators or specific authorized personnel. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader assessment of WordPress theme security, particularly when evaluating themes that handle sensitive user data through contact forms or similar submission mechanisms. The issue underscores the importance of proper access control implementation and the need for regular security audits of third-party themes and plugins that handle user data within WordPress environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to the latest version of the Avada theme where the issue has been addressed. The patch should include proper access controls that prevent contributor-level users from viewing form submissions that contain sensitive data, while maintaining appropriate functionality for legitimate administrative access. Additionally, administrators should implement monitoring of form submission access patterns to detect potential unauthorized access attempts. Regular security assessments of WordPress installations, including theme and plugin security reviews, should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that might exist within the broader WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and proper access control configurations in web applications that handle user data.