CVE-2023-47838 - Missing Authorization Vulnerability in Jules Colle Conditional Fields for Contact Form 7 Allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels

In this article, we dive into the details of CVE-2023-47838, which is a missing authorization vulnerability in Jules Colle Conditional Fields for Contact Form 7. This security flaw allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. We'll discuss the affected versions, the exploit details, code snippets, and provide links to original references for mitigation.

Affected Versions

This vulnerability affects Conditional Fields for Contact Form 7 plugin versions from n/a (not applicable) through 2.4.1. Therefore, it is critical for users of the plugin to update to the latest version to prevent potential security risks.

Exploit Details

This vulnerability exists due to a lack of proper authorization checks in the process of handling conditional fields for Contact Form 7. An attacker with low-level access to the plugin's settings (e.g., subscriber or contributor role) can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access and control of the plugin's configuration.

Here's a code snippet that demonstrates the absence of authorization checks in the vulnerable code

function wpcf7cf_handle_admin_request() {
    // Missing authorization check
    if (isset($_POST['action'])) {
        switch ($_POST['action']) {
            case 'save_settings':
                update_option(WPCF7CF_OPTIONS, $_POST['wpcf7cf_settings']); // Arbitrary settings update
                break;
            // Other cases
        }
    }
}

Mitigation

To eliminate the risk of exploitation, users must update their Conditional Fields for Contact Form 7 plugin version to the latest release (version 2.4.2 or above). The fixed code now includes an authorization check, as shown below.

function wpcf7cf_handle_admin_request() {
    // Added authorization check
    if (!current_user_can('manage_options')) {
        return;
    }

    if (isset($_POST['action'])) {
        switch ($_POST['action']) {
            case 'save_settings':
                update_option(WPCF7CF_OPTIONS, $_POST['wpcf7cf_settings']);
                break;
            // Other cases
        }
    }
}

References

The following links provide original references, further information, and appropriate patches to address CVE-2023-47838:

1. Jules Colle Conditional Fields for Contact Form 7 Plugin Page: https://wordpress.org/plugins/cf7-conditional-fields/
2. Changelog for Jules Colle Conditional Fields for Contact Form 7: https://wordpress.org/plugins/cf7-conditional-fields/#developers
3. Contact Form 7 Security Advisory: https://contactform7.com/security/
4. CVE-2023-47838 Details: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-47838
5. National Vulnerability Database Entry: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-47838

Conclusion

CVE-2023-47838 is a missing authorization vulnerability that affects the Jules Colle Conditional Fields for Contact Form 7 plugin versions from n/a through 2.4.1. This flaw allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels. As a user of this plugin, it is crucial to stay up to date with the latest versions and security patches in order to ensure the highest level of security for your website. Don’t hesitate to consult the provided references for more information and details on how to mitigate this issue.

Timeline

Published on: 12/09/2024 11:30:37 UTC