CVE-2023-2517 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin for WordPress, allowing for Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks in versions up to and including 3.3.2. The vulnerability arises from missing or incorrect nonce validation on the permalink_setup function, enabling unauthenticated attackers to manipulate the permalink structure through forged requests if they can deceive a site administrator into taking action.

Understanding CVE-2023-2517

This section delves into the details and impact of CVE-2023-2517.

What is CVE-2023-2517?

The CVE-2023-2517 vulnerability pertains to the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin for WordPress, where a lack of proper nonce validation on the permalink_setup function allows unauthorized individuals to conduct Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks, potentially altering the permalink structure upon successful manipulation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2517

The impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can be exploited by malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions on a website using the vulnerable plugin. By tricking site administrators into performing specific actions such as clicking on a link, attackers can alter the permalink structure, leading to potential security breaches and unauthorized modifications.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2517

In this section, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2517.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin lies in the missing or incorrect implementation of nonce validation on the permalink_setup function. Despite the existence of nonce verification, it only occurs when a valid nonce is presented, leaving room for exploitation by unauthenticated attackers.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin by xpeedstudio, with versions up to and including 3.3.2 being vulnerable to the Cross-Site Request Forgery issue. Sites utilizing these versions are at risk until appropriate measures are taken.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-2517 requires the ability to lure site administrators into triggering specific actions, such as clicking on malicious links, allowing attackers to forge requests and manipulate the permalink structure through the vulnerable plugin.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-2517, it is crucial to implement effective mitigation strategies and preventive measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Site administrators should update the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin to a version beyond 3.3.2 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Educate users to avoid clicking on suspicious links or performing actions prompted by untrusted sources to prevent CSRF attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to ensure that security patches are applied promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation through known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security audits and vulnerability scans periodically to identify and address any potential weaknesses in the website's security posture.

Patching and Updates

Ensuring that the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin is kept up-to-date with the latest secure version is crucial to prevent exploitation of CVE-2023-2517. Promptly applying patches and updates helps mitigate risks associated with known vulnerabilities and enhances overall system security.