CVE-2023-23990
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the WordPress Redirection for Contact Form 7 plugin allows attackers to escalate privileges, potentially gaining administrative access. It affects all versions up to and including 2.7.0. WordPress sites using this plugin are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Redirection for Contact Form 7 WordPress plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain full administrative control over the WordPress site, allowing them to modify content, install malicious plugins/themes, steal data, or take the site offline.
Likely Case
Attackers gain elevated privileges to modify site settings, create backdoors, or access sensitive data they shouldn't have permission to view.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to unauthorized privilege changes that can be detected and reversed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires some level of access to the WordPress site, but privilege escalation vulnerabilities are commonly exploited.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Versions after 2.7.0
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wpcf7-redirect/wordpress-redirection-for-contact-form-7-plugin-2-7-0-privilege-escalation-vulnerability
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Redirection for Contact Form 7'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or manually update to latest version. 5. Verify plugin is updated to version after 2.7.0.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Redirection for Contact Form 7 plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate wpcf7-redirect
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Redirection for Contact Form 7 plugin entirely and use alternative contact form redirection solutions.
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for privilege escalation attempts in WordPress logs.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins → Redirection for Contact Form 7 version. If version is 2.7.0 or earlier, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get wpcf7-redirect --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is higher than 2.7.0 in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected user role changes in WordPress logs
- Administrative actions from non-admin users
- Plugin activation/deactivation from unauthorized users
Network Indicators:
- Unusual admin panel access patterns
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful privilege changes
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress" (event="user_role_changed" OR event="capabilities_modified")🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wpcf7-redirect/wordpress-redirection-for-contact-form-7-plugin-2-7-0-privilege-escalation-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wpcf7-redirect/wordpress-redirection-for-contact-form-7-plugin-2-7-0-privilege-escalation-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
