CVE-2023-6630 : What You Need to Know

This CVE-2023-6630 impacts the Contact Form 7 – Dynamic Text Extension plugin for WordPress, making it vulnerable to an Insecure Direct Object Reference. Authenticated attackers with contributor access or higher could exploit this vulnerability in versions up to and including 4.1.0 to access arbitrary metadata of any post type, posing a risk of privacy violation.

Understanding CVE-2023-6630

This section will delve into the details of CVE-2023-6630, its impact, technical aspects, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6630?

CVE-2023-6630 involves an Insecure Direct Object Reference vulnerability in the Contact Form 7 – Dynamic Text Extension plugin for WordPress. This vulnerability allows authenticated attackers to access arbitrary metadata of any post type by exploiting certain shortcodes.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6630

The impact of this CVE is significant as it can lead to the exposure of private information due to the lack of validation on user-controlled keys. Attackers with contributor access or higher can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive data, potentially compromising user privacy.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6630

Let's dive into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-6630 to understand how the vulnerability manifests and its implications.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Contact Form 7 – Dynamic Text Extension plugin arises from missing validation on a user-controlled key, specifically within the CF7_get_custom_field and CF7_get_current_user shortcodes. This oversight enables attackers to reference posts by ID and access corresponding metadata.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Contact Form 7 – Dynamic Text Extension plugin versions up to and including 4.1.0 are impacted by this vulnerability. Users utilizing these versions are at risk of unauthorized access to post metadata by authenticated attackers with contributor privileges or higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-6630, attackers need contributor-level access or higher, enabling them to utilize certain shortcodes to access metadata associated with posts within the WordPress environment. By referencing post IDs and keys, attackers can retrieve sensitive information.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2023-6630 requires immediate action to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the Contact Form 7 – Dynamic Text Extension plugin should update to a version beyond 4.1.0 to eliminate the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting contributor access and regularly monitoring for unusual activity can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust access controls, conducting regular security audits, and staying informed about plugin updates and security patches are essential for maintaining a secure WordPress environment. Users should adhere to security best practices to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Staying vigilant for security updates released by the plugin developer and promptly applying patches is crucial for addressing vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-6630. By keeping software components up to date, users can fortify their defenses against known security risks.