CVE-2024-29117 in Contact Forms Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/19/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Cimatti Consulting Contact Forms by Cimatti allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Contact Forms by Cimatti: from n/a through 1.7.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2025
The CVE-2024-29117 vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw within the Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin, which operates as a web application security mechanism for content management systems. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization during the web page generation process, creating an exploitable condition where malicious scripts can be permanently stored and subsequently executed in the context of other users' browsers. The flaw specifically affects versions ranging from the initial release through 1.7.0, indicating a prolonged period during which the vulnerability remained unaddressed. The vulnerability manifests when user-submitted data intended for contact form processing is not properly neutralized before being rendered back to users, creating a persistent vector for malicious code injection.
This security weakness directly maps to CWE-79, which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a vulnerability occurring when untrusted data is incorporated into web pages without proper validation or sanitization. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads are saved within the application's database or storage mechanisms, making them persistent across multiple user sessions and potentially affecting numerous victims who interact with the compromised application. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of authenticated users, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the application's privileges. The impact extends beyond simple script execution as it can enable more sophisticated attacks such as phishing, data exfiltration, or privilege escalation within the application's environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations utilizing the Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin, particularly those handling sensitive user data through contact forms. Attackers can exploit this weakness to steal user sessions, capture login credentials, or manipulate the application's functionality to serve malicious content to other users. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once exploited, the malicious code continues to execute for all users who view the affected pages, potentially creating a wide-reaching attack surface. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that rely on user-generated content processing, as the attack vector exploits the legitimate functionality of the contact form to deliver malicious payloads. Organizations may experience data breaches, reputational damage, and compliance violations as a result of this vulnerability being exploited in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-29117 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective defense against the known exploit. Security teams should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent malicious data from being stored or rendered in web pages. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that contact form data is properly sanitized before storage and that all user inputs are validated against strict whitelists. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injections, while also implementing proper content security policies to restrict script execution within the application's environment. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities within the application's codebase, with particular attention to input handling mechanisms. Additionally, user education regarding suspicious form submissions and monitoring for anomalous application behavior can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts.