CVE-2023-6788 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-6788 involves a vulnerability in the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin for WordPress, allowing for Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attacks in versions up to and including 3.8.1. Attackers can manipulate site administrator actions to update crucial options, potentially connecting their own Hubspot account to the victim's site for malicious purposes.

Understanding CVE-2023-6788

This section will delve deeper into the specifics of the CVE-2023-6788 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2023-6788?

The CVE-2023-6788 vulnerability affects the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin for WordPress, enabling attackers to exploit Cross-Site Request Forgery to update essential options on vulnerable sites.

The Impact of CVE-2023-6788

The impact of this vulnerability lies in the ability for unauthenticated attackers to manipulate site administrator actions, potentially connecting their Hubspot account to the victim's site and compromising user data.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-6788

Understanding the technical aspects of CVE-2023-6788 is vital for mitigation and prevention strategies.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation in the "contents" function of the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin. This allows attackers to forge requests and update critical options on vulnerable sites.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerable versions of the plugin include all versions up to and including 3.8.1 of the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin for WordPress.

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting CVE-2023-6788 involves tricking site administrators into taking actions such as clicking on a link, granting attackers the opportunity to update certain options and potentially connect their own Hubspot account to the victim's site.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps to address CVE-2023-6788 and implementing long-term security practices is crucial for safeguarding WordPress sites from potential attacks.

Immediate Steps to Take

Site administrators should update the Metform Elementor Contact Form Builder plugin to a version beyond 3.8.1 to mitigate the Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-6788.

Long-Term Security Practices

To enhance overall security posture, it is essential for site owners to regularly monitor and update plugins, implement robust access controls, and educate users about potential security risks like CSRF attacks.

Patching and Updates

Staying informed about security patches and updates released by plugin developers is key to protecting WordPress sites from known vulnerabilities. Regularly checking for and applying updates can help mitigate risks associated with CVE-2023-6788.