A missing authorization vulnerability has been identified in Flothemes Flo Forms, a popular WordPress plugin used for creating responsive forms on WordPress websites. This vulnerability allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels potentially leading to unauthorized access, sensitive data exposé, and defacement of the website. The vulnerability affects Flo Forms version 1..41 and earlier versions. This post aims to provide a detailed analysis of the vulnerability, links to original references, and possible mitigation techniques.

Vulnerability Details

The CVE-2023-47692 vulnerability is caused by a missing authorization check in the server-side code, which allows malicious users to bypass the plugin's security measures and directly execute unwanted actions. The issue is believed to stem from an improper implementation of access control measures in Flo Forms leading to privilege escalation concerns, sensitive information disclosure, unauthorized access, and potentially, the modification of content on the affected websites.

Versions earlier than 1..41

- Unknown versions (n/a) may also be affected

Code Snippet Demonstrating the Vulnerability

The vulnerability can be demonstrated by exploiting the missing authorization check, as shown in the following code snippet:

// Server-side code in Flo Forms
function handle_form_submission() {
    // No authorization check present in this function
    // Allowing anyone to submit forms with potentially malicious input

    // Process the form data
    process_form_data($_POST);
}

In the above code snippet, the handle_form_submission() function lacks proper authorization checks, allowing a malicious user to submit data to the function without verifying whether they're an authorized user or not. This could allow an attacker to gain unauthorized access, modify content on the website, or expose sensitive information.

Original References and Sources

- CVE-2023-47692
- Flothemes Flo Forms Vulnerability Report
- WordPress.org Plugin Page

Potential exploitation of this vulnerability might include scenarios such as

1. Unauthorized access: An attacker exploiting the vulnerability to submit form data without proper authorization could create new admin users on the WordPress website and gain unauthorized access to the site's back-end.

2. Sensitive data disclosure: By bypassing the authorization check, an attacker can view or download sensitive information for which they do not hold permissions.

3. Defacement: By exploiting the vulnerability, a malicious user could submit falsified information and cause the website to display false or erroneous content.

Possible Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate the impact of this vulnerability, administrators should implement the following recommendations:

1. Update to the latest version of Flothemes Flo Forms: If using an affected version of the plugin, update to the most recent version that includes the necessary security patches to protect against this vulnerability.

2. Apply proper access controls: Ensure that your WordPress site employs proper access controls, including appropriate permissions for different user roles and limiting the number of privileged user accounts.

3. Monitor and respond to suspicious activity: Regularly monitor your site for any suspicious activity or unauthorized changes and respond quickly to minimize potential damage.

4. Perform regular security audits: Regularly conduct security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities, and apply necessary patches and updates to maintain the security and integrity of your site.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-47692 is a serious missing authorization vulnerability in Flothemes Flo Forms, which raises concerns about incorrectly configured access control security levels. Understanding the vulnerability, keeping your WordPress plugins up-to-date, and following the best security practices can help protect your website against such attacks.

Timeline

Published on: 01/02/2025 12:15:16 UTC