CVE-2023-31212
📋 TL;DR
This SQL injection vulnerability in WordPress Contact Form Entries plugin allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands on the database. It affects all versions up to 1.3.0 of the plugin when used with Contact Form 7, WPForms, or Elementor forms. Attackers could steal sensitive data, modify database contents, or potentially gain administrative access.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Contact Form Entries plugin
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete database compromise leading to data theft, privilege escalation to WordPress admin, and potential server takeover if database user has elevated privileges.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to form submission data, exposure of personally identifiable information (PII), and potential modification of WordPress settings or user accounts.
If Mitigated
Limited to authenticated user data exposure if proper database user permissions are configured and other security controls are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated WordPress user access. SQL injection payloads are publicly documented.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.3.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/contact-form-entries/wordpress-contact-form-entries-plugin-1-3-0-auth-sql-injection-sqli-vulnerability
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Contact Form Entries' plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 1.3.1+ from WordPress.org and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily deactivate the Contact Form Entries plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate contact-form-entries
Restrict user access
allLimit WordPress user accounts to only trusted administrators
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) with SQL injection rules
- Restrict database user permissions to minimum required privileges
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Contact Form Entries versionCheck Version:
wp plugin get contact-form-entries --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.3.1 or higher in WordPress admin📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual SQL queries in database logs
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by plugin-specific requests
- Requests containing SQL keywords (SELECT, UNION, etc.) to plugin endpoints
Network Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with SQL payloads
- Unusual database connection patterns from web server
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (url_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" OR url_path="/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-entries/") AND (query_string CONTAINS "SELECT" OR query_string CONTAINS "UNION" OR query_string CONTAINS "OR 1=1")🔗 References
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/contact-form-entries/wordpress-contact-form-entries-plugin-1-3-0-auth-sql-injection-sqli-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/contact-form-entries/wordpress-contact-form-entries-plugin-1-3-0-auth-sql-injection-sqli-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
