CVE-2023-2563 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-2563 impacts the WordPress Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin for WordPress, making it vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks. The vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 1.5.7, allowing unauthenticated attackers to delete forms via a forged request.

Understanding CVE-2023-2563

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-2563, discussing what it is and the impacts it has on systems using the affected WordPress plugin.

What is CVE-2023-2563?

CVE-2023-2563 is a vulnerability found in the WordPress Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin where missing or incorrect nonce validation in the _accua_forms_form_edit_action function enables attackers to execute CSRF attacks. By leveraging this vulnerability, malicious actors can delete forms created with the plugin by tricking site administrators into unwittingly taking action.

The Impact of CVE-2023-2563

The impact of CVE-2023-2563 is significant as it exposes websites using the vulnerable WordPress Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin to the risk of unauthorized form deletions by attackers. This could potentially lead to data loss and disrupt website functionality.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-2563

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-2563, including the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the WordPress Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin arises from inadequate nonce validation in the _accua_forms_form_edit_action function, which allows for Cross-Site Request Forgery attacks.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects versions of the WordPress Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin up to and including 1.5.7. Websites using these versions are at risk of exploitation via CSRF attacks.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a forged request to trick site administrators into unintentionally deleting forms created with the plugin. This manipulation of actions can be executed without the need for authentication.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from the risks posed by CVE-2023-2563, it is crucial to implement immediate steps, adopt long-term security practices, and apply necessary patches and updates to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.

Immediate Steps to Take

Website administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as implementing proper input validation and ensuring secure authentication mechanisms to prevent CSRF attacks. It is also advisable to monitor website activity closely for any suspicious behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

In the long term, organizations should prioritize regular security audits, stay informed about plugin vulnerabilities, and follow secure coding practices while developing and maintaining WordPress websites.

Patching and Updates

Developers of the WordPress Contact Forms by Cimatti plugin should release a patch addressing the nonce validation issue to rectify the vulnerability. Website administrators are advised to apply the patch promptly and keep the plugin updated to the latest secure version.