CVE-2022-0404 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

Material Design for Contact Form 7 <= 2.6.4 - Subscriber+ Arbitrary Settings Update leading to DoS

Understanding CVE-2022-0404

This CVE describes a vulnerability in the Material Design for Contact Form 7 WordPress plugin version 2.6.4 and below that can be exploited by unauthorized users, leading to potential Denial of Service attacks.

What is CVE-2022-0404?

The Material Design for Contact Form 7 WordPress plugin through version 2.6.4 allows any logged-in user, even with low-level roles like Subscriber, to set arbitrary options to true without proper authorization checks. This can result in a Denial of Service (DoS) attack by manipulating site settings.

The Impact of CVE-2022-0404

The vulnerability enables attackers to disrupt the normal functioning of websites using the affected plugin, potentially causing system downtime and affecting user experience. By exploiting this issue, unauthorized users can exploit the plugin to their advantage, leading to service unavailability.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-0404

This section provides more insights into the vulnerability's technical aspects.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the plugin's failure to validate authorization or plugin ownership when processing requests, allowing any logged-in user to manipulate settings and trigger a Denial of Service condition.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Material Design for Contact Form 7 plugin versions up to 2.6.4 are vulnerable to this exploit. Users with installations of these versions are at risk of potential DoS attacks by malicious actors.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted requests to the cf7md_dismiss_notice action endpoint, bypassing authorization checks and manipulating settings to disrupt site operations.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-0404, users are advised to take immediate action and adopt long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Material Design for Contact Form 7 plugin to the latest patched version to eliminate the vulnerability.
Monitor user roles and permissions to restrict unauthorized access and prevent DoS attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly audit and review plugins for security vulnerabilities to stay informed about potential risks.
Implement strict authentication and authorization mechanisms to control user actions and prevent unauthorized settings changes.

Patching and Updates

Vendor patches and updates should be promptly applied to ensure that any known vulnerabilities are addressed and security gaps are closed.