CVE-2021-4390 : What You Need to Know

A detailed overview of CVE-2021-4390 focusing on the Contact Form 7 Style plugin vulnerability to Cross-Site Request Forgery.

Understanding CVE-2021-4390

This CVE highlights a security vulnerability in the Contact Form 7 Style plugin for WordPress, allowing Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks.

What is CVE-2021-4390?

The Contact Form 7 Style plugin for WordPress is susceptible to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to and including 3.2. The issue arises due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the manage_wp_posts_be_qe_save_post() function.

The Impact of CVE-2021-4390

The vulnerability enables unauthenticated attackers to quick edit templates via a forged request, provided they can deceive a site administrator into an action like clicking on a link.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-4390

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Contact Form 7 Style plugin allows attackers to perform Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks by exploiting the nonce validation flaw in the manage_wp_posts_be_qe_save_post() function.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected product is the Contact Form 7 Style plugin with versions up to and including 3.2. Users with these versions are at risk of exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can trick site administrators into taking certain actions, like clicking on malicious links, to forge requests that can lead to unauthorized template modifications.

Mitigation and Prevention

Explore the strategies to mitigate and prevent the CVE-2021-4390 vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Site administrators should update the Contact Form 7 Style plugin to a patched version, implement CSRF protection mechanisms, and educate users on safe browsing practices.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular security audits, monitoring for suspicious activity, and staying informed about plugin updates and security best practices are crucial for long-term security.

Patching and Updates

Developers should release timely patches for security vulnerabilities, users must promptly apply updates to all plugins and WordPress core to ensure robust security.