CVE-2024-7782 in Contact Form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2024
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 arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the iconRemove function in versions 2.0 to 2.13.4. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file is deleted (such as wp-config.php).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7782 affects the Contact Form by Bit Form plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions ranging from 2.0 through 2.13.4. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the iconRemove function, which operates without proper sanitization of file paths. The flaw represents a critical security weakness that allows authenticated attackers with administrator privileges to execute arbitrary file deletion operations on the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it provides an attacker with the capability to remove any file accessible to the web server process, potentially compromising the entire system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the iconRemove function which processes file deletion requests without adequately validating the file paths provided by users. This lack of proper path validation creates an opportunity for path traversal attacks where malicious actors can manipulate file paths to target system files beyond the intended scope. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-22 Path Traversal, which specifically addresses improper validation of file paths that can lead to unauthorized access to system resources. When an administrator with sufficient privileges interacts with the plugin's file removal functionality, the system fails to verify whether the requested file deletion operation is legitimate or if it attempts to access restricted system directories.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-7782 extends far beyond simple file deletion capabilities, as it can potentially lead to complete system compromise through remote code execution. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can target critical system files such as wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and other sensitive configuration data. The deletion of such files can result in complete system outages or provide attackers with additional attack vectors to escalate privileges and establish persistent access. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, where attackers can leverage compromised systems to execute malicious commands through deleted system files, and T1486 Data Encrypted for Ransom, where system files deletion can be part of a broader attack pattern. The potential for remote code execution through this vulnerability makes it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to gain persistent access to compromised WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-7782 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin versions to the latest stable release that contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and privilege management to limit the number of users with administrator-level permissions, reducing the attack surface for this vulnerability. Network segmentation and monitoring of file system activities can help detect suspicious deletion patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar path traversal vulnerabilities in other plugins and themes. The implementation of web application firewalls and file integrity monitoring solutions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. System administrators should also maintain regular backups of critical system files to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful exploitation, and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing file deletion attacks and their potential for remote code execution.