CVE-2024-4620
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the ARForms WordPress plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to upload malicious PHP files through form submissions. Any WordPress site using ARForms plugin versions before 6.6 is affected, potentially leading to remote code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- ARForms - Premium WordPress Form Builder Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Arforms by Reputeinfosystems
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete server compromise via remote code execution, allowing attackers to install backdoors, steal data, or pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Website defacement, malware injection, or data theft through uploaded web shells.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file uploads are disabled or proper file type validation is implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation is straightforward and requires no authentication.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 6.6
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/dc34dc2d-d5a1-4e28-8507-33f659ead647/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find ARForms plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 6.6+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable file uploads in ARForms
allTemporarily remove or disable file upload fields from all ARForms forms.
Web server file type restrictions
linuxConfigure web server to block .php file uploads to upload directories.
# Apache .htaccess example:
<FilesMatch "\.(php|php5|php7|phtml)$">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the ARForms plugin entirely until patched
- Implement WAF rules to block suspicious file uploads containing PHP code
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin > Plugins > Installed Plugins for ARForms version. If version is below 6.6, site is vulnerable.Check Version:
# WordPress CLI:
wp plugin list --name=arforms --field=version
# Or check wp-content/plugins/arforms/readme.txtVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm ARForms plugin version is 6.6 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual file uploads to ARForms upload directories
- .php files in upload folders
- POST requests to ARForms endpoints with file uploads
Network Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests with file uploads to /wp-content/plugins/arforms/ endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" AND (uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/arforms/" OR user_agent CONTAINS "ARForms") AND http_method="POST" AND content_type CONTAINS "multipart/form-data"