CVE-2021-34648 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been identified in the Ninja Forms WordPress plugin, specifically in versions up to and including 3.5.7, allowing authenticated attackers to send arbitrary emails through the affected server. This article provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-34648.

Understanding CVE-2021-34648

This section delves into the details of the vulnerability and its implications.

What is CVE-2021-34648?

The Ninja Forms plugin, up to version 3.5.7, is susceptible to arbitrary email sending via a particular function, leading to potential unauthorized email activities by authenticated attackers.

The Impact of CVE-2021-34648

The vulnerability permits malicious actors to exploit an unprotected REST-API and trigger email actions, potentially engaging in email misuse and social engineering tactics.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-34648

In this section, the technical aspects of the CVE are expounded upon.

Vulnerability Description

The issue arises from the trigger_email_action function in the ~/includes/Routes/Submissions.php file, enabling attackers to send emails via the /ninja-forms-submissions/email-action REST API.

Affected Systems and Versions

Ninja Forms versions including and prior to 3.5.7 are impacted by this vulnerability, allowing attackers to abuse the email-sending functionality.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by authenticated attackers to send arbitrary emails using the compromised server, potentially facilitating social engineering attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section outlines the steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2021-34648.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update their Ninja Forms plugin to version 3.5.8 or newer to address the vulnerability promptly.

Long-Term Security Practices

In addition to immediate updates, implementing robust security measures and regular monitoring can help prevent and mitigate similar exploits in the future.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches and keeping software up to date is crucial in maintaining the integrity and security of WordPress plugins.