Another Contact Form Vulnerability…

The Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin for WordPress has recently been flagged for a vulnerability that could potentially lead to information leakage. In this article, we will delve into the details of this vulnerability, its impact, and the necessary steps to mitigate the threat. By understanding the risks associated with this plugin and taking appropriate actions, website owners can ensure the security and safety of their online platforms.

Understanding Metform

The Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin is a popular add-on for Elementor , boasting 200,000+ installations. It offers a user-friendly interface, enabling users to effortlessly create various types of forms, including multi-step forms. This plugin caters to both beginners and experienced users, allowing customization through the Elementor builder.

Unveiling the Vulnerability: Information Disclosure

The vulnerability identified in the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin poses a significant threat, as it enables an attacker to access sensitive information. Rated as a medium-level threat by the U.S. government National Vulnerability Database (NVD), it is essential to understand the nature of this vulnerability and its potential consequences.

According to the NVD, this vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated attackers with subscriber-level capabilities or above. A subscriber-level user role is relatively easy to obtain, making it a low bar for launching an attack. As per the WordPress glossary, a subscriber is the lowest level of user role with limited permissions, such as editing their profile, reading posts, and leaving comments.

The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2023-0689, specifically targets the ‘mf_first_name’ shortcode in versions up to and including 3.3.1 of the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin. This flaw allows an attacker to access sensitive information, including the submitter’s first name, from arbitrary form submissions.

Assessing the Impact: Potential Risks and Consequences

The information disclosure vulnerability in the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin raises concerns about the privacy and security of user data. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can gain unauthorized access to personal information, potentially leading to identity theft, phishing attacks, or other malicious activities.

It is crucial to recognize the potential consequences of this vulnerability, especially for websites that collect sensitive information through contact forms. If left unaddressed, the exploit could compromise user trust, damage the reputation of the website, and expose individuals to various risks.

Mitigating the Threat: Updating the Plugin

To protect websites from potential attacks exploiting the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin vulnerability, it is crucial to update to the latest version of the plugin. The most recent release, version 3.4.0, provides the necessary security improvements and addresses the information disclosure flaw.

According to the official Metform Elementor Changelog, version 3.3.2 specifically enhances security measures by improving nonce and authorization checking. By installing this updated version, website owners can effectively mitigate the threat posed by the vulnerability.

Step-by-Step Guide: Updating Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder Plugin

To ensure the security of your website and protect it from potential exploits, follow these simple steps to update the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin:

1. Login to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to the “Plugins” section.
3. Locate the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin.
4. Click on the “Update Now” button next to the plugin.
5. Wait for the update process to complete.
6. Verify that the plugin version is now 3.4.0 or higher.

By following these steps and updating the plugin to the latest version, you can safeguard your website and its users from potential attacks.

Additional Security Measures: Best Practices for Website Owners

While updating the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin is crucial, it is equally important to adopt a comprehensive security approach to protect your website. Here are some additional best practices to reinforce your website’s security:

• Regularly update all plugins, themes, and the WordPress core to the latest versions.
• Implement a strong password policy for all user accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
• Utilize a reliable security plugin to monitor and detect potential threats.
• Backup your website regularly to ensure data recovery in case of an attack.
• Remove any unused or unnecessary plugins and themes.

By following these best practices and staying vigilant about security updates, website owners can significantly reduce the risk of potential vulnerabilities and keep their platforms secure.

See first source: Search Engine Journal

FAQ

Q1: What is the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin for WordPress?

A: The Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin is an add-on for Elementor, a popular WordPress page builder. It allows users to create various types of forms, including multi-step forms, with a user-friendly interface.

Q2: What is the vulnerability in the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin?

A: The vulnerability in this plugin is related to information disclosure. It allows authenticated attackers with subscriber-level capabilities or above to access sensitive information, specifically the submitter’s first name, from arbitrary form submissions.

Q3: How severe is this vulnerability?

A: The vulnerability is rated as a medium-level threat by the U.S. government National Vulnerability Database (NVD). While it requires authenticated access, obtaining subscriber-level user role capabilities is relatively easy.

Q4: What is the CVE associated with this vulnerability?

A: The vulnerability is identified as CVE-2023-0689 and affects versions up to and including 3.3.1 of the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin.

Q5: What are the potential risks and consequences of this vulnerability?

A: The vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to personal information, potentially resulting in identity theft, phishing attacks, or other malicious activities. It poses risks to user privacy and website reputation.

Q6: What are the additional security measures website owners can take to protect their websites?

A: Website owners should regularly update all plugins, themes, and the WordPress core, implement a strong password policy, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), utilize a reliable security plugin, backup the website regularly, and remove unused or unnecessary plugins and themes to reinforce security.

Featured Image Credit: Brett Wharton; Unsplash – Thank you!