Formidable Forms – Contact Form Plugin, Survey, Quiz, Payment, Calculator Form & Custom Form Builder Vulnerability – Authenticated (Subscriber+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting – CVE-2024-6725 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Q: What is the Formidable Forms plugin used for?

What is the Formidable Forms plugin used for? Formidable Forms is a versatile WordPress plugin that enables users to create a variety of forms, including contact forms, surveys, quizzes, payment forms, calculators, and custom forms. It is widely adopted due to its comprehensive features and ease of use, making it a popular choice among WordPress site owners.

Q: What is the specific vulnerability in Formidable Forms?

What is the specific vulnerability in Formidable Forms? The vulnerability in Formidable Forms, identified as CVE-2024-6725, is an authenticated (Subscriber+) stored cross-site scripting flaw. This issue allows attackers with form editing permissions and at least Subscriber-level access to inject malicious scripts into web pages, which execute when accessed by other users.

Q: How severe is the Formidable Forms vulnerability?

How severe is the Formidable Forms vulnerability? The CVE-2024-6725 vulnerability has a CVSS score of 4.9, indicating a medium severity level. Although not the highest threat level, it poses significant risks, including unauthorized actions and potential data breaches, especially if exploited by malicious actors.

Q: Who discovered the vulnerability in Formidable Forms?

Who discovered the vulnerability in Formidable Forms? The vulnerability was discovered by a researcher known as zer0gh0st. Their work in identifying and reporting this flaw has been crucial in prompting the development team to release a patch and secure the affected systems.

Q: Which versions of Formidable Forms are affected by this vulnerability?

Which versions of Formidable Forms are affected by this vulnerability? All versions of Formidable Forms up to and including 6.11.1 are affected by this vulnerability. Users running these versions are at risk and should take immediate action to update their plugin to the patched version.

Q: What steps should I take if I am using an affected version of Formidable Forms?

What steps should I take if I am using an affected version of Formidable Forms? Users should update their Formidable Forms plugin to version 6.11.2 immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, they should inspect their sites for any signs of unusual activity or scripts that might indicate a compromise.

Q: Are there any alternative plugins to Formidable Forms that I can consider?

Are there any alternative plugins to Formidable Forms that I can consider? While updating to the latest version of Formidable Forms is the recommended action, users might consider exploring alternative plugins as a precaution. Plugins offering similar functionality could be an option, especially if users are seeking additional peace of mind.

Q: What is the importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated?

What is the importance of keeping WordPress plugins updated? Regularly updating WordPress plugins is essential to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Timely updates ensure that any security flaws are patched, reducing the risk of exploitation and maintaining the integrity and security of your website.

Q: How can I stay informed about security vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins?

How can I stay informed about security vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins? Staying informed about security vulnerabilities can be achieved by following reputable cybersecurity blogs, subscribing to updates from WordPress and plugin developers, and using security plugins that alert you to potential issues. Regularly checking resources like Wordfence can also help you stay updated on the latest threats.

Q: What should I do if I suspect my website has been compromised?

What should I do if I suspect my website has been compromised? If you suspect your website has been compromised, take immediate action by updating all plugins and themes to their latest versions. Conduct a thorough security scan to identify and remove any malicious code, and consider consulting with a cybersecurity professional for a comprehensive assessment and remediation.

By Your WP Guy | July 30, 2024

Plugin Name: Formidable Forms – Contact Form Plugin, Survey, Quiz, Payment, Calculator Form & Custom Form Builder

Key Information:

Software Type: Plugin
Software Slug: formidable
Software Status: Active
Software Author: strategy11team
Software Downloads: 21,415,029
Active Installs: 400,000
Last Updated: August 6, 2024
Patched Versions: 6.11.2
Affected Versions: <= 6.11.1

Vulnerability Details:

Name: Formidable Forms <= 6.11.1
Type: Authenticated (Subscriber+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting
CVE: CVE-2024-6725
CVSS Score: 4.9
Publicly Published: July 30, 2024
Researcher: zer0gh0st
Description: The Formidable Forms – Contact Form Plugin, Survey, Quiz, Payment, Calculator Form & Custom Form Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘html’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 6.11.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with form editing permissions and Subscriber-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.

Summary:

The Formidable Forms – Contact Form Plugin, Survey, Quiz, Payment, Calculator Form & Custom Form Builder for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 6.11.1 that allows authenticated (Subscriber+) stored cross-site scripting. This vulnerability has been patched in version 6.11.2.

Detailed Overview:

The Formidable Forms plugin, widely used for creating contact forms, surveys, quizzes, payment forms, calculators, and custom forms on WordPress sites, was found to have a critical vulnerability. Discovered by the researcher zer0gh0st, this vulnerability is due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping in the 'html' parameter. The flaw allows authenticated users with at least Subscriber-level access and form editing permissions to inject malicious web scripts into pages. These scripts execute whenever the compromised pages are accessed, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data breaches.

The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-6725, has a CVSS score of 4.9, indicating a medium severity level. It was publicly disclosed on July 30, 2024, and affects all plugin versions up to and including 6.11.1. The developers promptly addressed the issue, releasing a patched version, 6.11.2, on August 6, 2024.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Users are strongly encouraged to update to version 6.11.2 immediately to mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Users should inspect their sites for any unusual activities or scripts that might indicate a compromise.
Alternate Plugins: While a patch is available, users might still consider exploring alternative plugins that offer similar functionality as an extra precaution.
Stay Updated: Regularly updating all plugins to their latest versions is crucial to prevent vulnerabilities.

Conclusion:

References:

Detailed Report:

Keeping your website secure is an ongoing challenge that requires vigilance and regular maintenance. One of the most effective ways to protect your site from potential threats is to ensure all your plugins and software are up to date. Recently, a critical vulnerability was discovered in the Formidable Forms plugin, a widely used tool for creating contact forms, surveys, quizzes, payment forms, calculators, and custom forms on WordPress sites. This vulnerability, known as CVE-2024-6725, exposes your site to the risk of cross-site scripting attacks, potentially allowing unauthorized users to inject malicious scripts into your web pages.

Risks and Potential Impacts

The vulnerability allows authenticated users with at least Subscriber-level access and form editing permissions to inject malicious web scripts into pages. These scripts execute whenever the compromised pages are accessed, potentially leading to unauthorized actions and data breaches. This can result in significant security risks, including:

Unauthorized access to sensitive data
Defacement of web pages
Redirection to malicious websites
Loss of user trust and damage to your business's reputation

Overview of Previous Vulnerabilities

Since January 26, 2016, there have been 18 previous vulnerabilities reported in the Formidable Forms plugin. This history highlights the importance of staying vigilant and ensuring that your plugins are consistently updated to the latest secure versions.

Conclusion

The swift response from the Formidable Forms development team to patch this vulnerability underscores the importance of timely updates. Users are advised to ensure that they are running version 6.11.2 or later to secure their WordPress installations. For small business owners, maintaining website security might seem overwhelming, but staying informed and proactive is key. Consider leveraging professional services to manage your website’s security, allowing you to focus on your core business activities. Regular maintenance, including updates and vulnerability checks, is essential in safeguarding your site against potential threats.

Staying Secure

Staying on top of WordPress security can feel overwhelming for small business owners without dedicated IT staff. At Your WP Guy, we exist to shoulder that burden for you. Our WordPress experts can fully audit, secure, maintain and support your site - so you can focus on growing your business with peace of mind.

Don't tackle security risks alone. Let us help you assess any impact from this vulnerability, update your plugins, and implement ongoing maintenance to avoid future threats. We treat your website like it's our own - because we know how critical it is for reaching your customers.

Get in touch for a free consultation today on making WordPress security stress-free. Call 678-995-5169 or book a call here. Our knowledgeable team is ready to help you safeguard your online presence.