CVE-2023-37988 Scanner

The Contact Form Generator is a widely utilized plugin for WordPress, designed to facilitate the creation and management of contact forms on websites. It is employed by website administrators and developers looking to streamline user interactions and gather contact data efficiently. This plugin is particularly popular due to its ease of use and integration capabilities with various WordPress themes and functionalities. Organizations and individual website owners use this tool to enhance site functionality and improve user experience, making it a critical component of many WordPress-based sites. However, like any third-party tool, it requires regular updates and monitoring to ensure security is maintained.

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities like the one present in the Contact Form Generator plugin can pose significant threats to web security. This specific vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages that other users may interact with, potentially compromising the integrity and confidentiality of user data. These attacks exploit insufficient input sanitization and output escaping, making it imperative for users to implement secure coding practices. The potential impacts of such vulnerabilities can include unauthorized access to user data and manipulation of web content, underscoring the need for vigilance in plugin security.

Technical analysis reveals that the vulnerability exists due to the plugin's handling of the 'id' parameter in the 'wp-admin/admin.php' script. Attackers can strategically craft URLs that include malicious scripts, which then execute if a target user clicks on such links. This issue stems from a lack of sufficient validation and encoding processes for user-supplied input, highlighting a common oversight in handling dynamic web content. It's critical to address these weaknesses by applying correct input validation and encoding methods to prevent script execution.

If the vulnerability is exploited, it may lead to a wide range of consequences such as credential theft, unauthorized actions on behalf of users, and distribution of malicious payloads. The attacker's ability to inject scripts into web pages can compromise user trust and lead to further exploitation, including data breaches and system vulnerabilities. This can seriously affect the reputation and operational security of affected sites, emphasizing the need for robust security measures.

REFERENCES

• https://packetstorm.news/files/id/174896
• https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-37988