CVE-2024-52404
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to upload arbitrary files to WordPress sites using the CF7 Reply Manager plugin, potentially leading to remote code execution. It affects all WordPress installations with CF7 Reply Manager versions up to 1.2.3. Attackers can exploit this without authentication to compromise websites.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress CF7 Reply Manager 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
Complete server takeover via webshell upload leading to data theft, defacement, or ransomware deployment
Likely Case
Website defacement, malware distribution, or credential theft via uploaded malicious files
If Mitigated
Limited impact if file uploads are restricted at web server level or WAF blocks malicious uploads
🎯 Exploit Status
Simple HTTP POST request with malicious file upload, often automated by bots
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.2.4 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/cf7-reply-manager/wordpress-cf7-reply-manager-plugin-1-2-3-arbitrary-file-upload-vulnerability
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find CF7 Reply Manager
4. Click Update Now if update available
5. If no update, deactivate and delete plugin
6. Install fresh version from WordPress repository
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Plugin
allTemporarily disable CF7 Reply Manager plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate cf7-reply-manager
Web Server File Restriction
linuxConfigure web server to block PHP file uploads to upload directories
# Apache: Add to .htaccess in uploads directory
<Files *.php>
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
</Files>
# Nginx: Add to server block
location ~* \.php$ {
deny all;
}
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove CF7 Reply Manager plugin completely and use alternative contact form solutions
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block file uploads with dangerous extensions
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → CF7 Reply Manager version. If version ≤1.2.3, vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get cf7-reply-manager --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm plugin version is 1.2.4 or higher in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP POST requests to /wp-content/plugins/cf7-reply-manager/ with file uploads
- Files with .php, .phtml, .phar extensions appearing in upload directories
- Unusual file creation timestamps in wp-content/uploads/
Network Indicators:
- POST requests with Content-Type: multipart/form-data to plugin endpoints
- File uploads with PHP or executable extensions
SIEM Query:
source="web_server" method="POST" uri_path="*cf7-reply-manager*" file_extension="*.php" OR file_extension="*.phtml"