CVE-2023-28782 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-28782 was assigned by Patchstack and published on December 20, 2023. It involves a vulnerability in the WordPress Gravity Forms Plugin version 2.7.3 and below, leading to PHP object injection.

Understanding CVE-2023-28782

This vulnerability, categorized under CWE-502 Deserialization of Untrusted Data, affects Gravity Forms by Rocketgenius Inc. Versions from n/a through 2.7.3 are impacted by this issue.

What is CVE-2023-28782?

The CVE-2023-28782 vulnerability involves PHP object injection in the Gravity Forms plugin, which can be exploited through the deserialization of untrusted data. This poses a risk to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28782

The impact of CVE-2023-28782 is rated as High with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.3. It has a low attack complexity and vector, with changes in scope and no user interaction or privileges required. This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access and manipulation of data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28782

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves PHP object injection in the Rocketgenius Inc. Gravity Forms plugin, allowing attackers to execute malicious code through deserialization of untrusted data. It affects versions up to 2.7.3.

Affected Systems and Versions

Gravity Forms by Rocketgenius Inc. versions up to 2.7.3 are susceptible to this PHP object injection vulnerability. Users of these versions are at risk of exploitation if the issue is not addressed promptly.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by injecting malicious PHP objects into the deserialization process, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution and system compromise.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28782 and enhance the security of your systems, consider the following mitigation and prevention measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update the Gravity Forms plugin to version 2.7.4 or a higher version to mitigate the PHP object injection vulnerability.
Implement web application firewalls and security plugins to monitor and block potential attacks targeting this vulnerability.
Regularly scan your website for any signs of compromise or suspicious activities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by plugin developers and CMS platforms.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address any vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Educate users and administrators about best practices for securing WordPress websites and plugins.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for plugin updates and security advisories related to Gravity Forms to ensure that your website is protected against known vulnerabilities. Stay proactive in applying patches and fixes to maintain the security of your WordPress environment.