MetForm – Contact Form, Survey, Quiz, & Custom Form Builder for Elementor Vulnerability – Unauthenticated Sensitive Information Exposure – CVE-2024-4266 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report

Plugin Name: MetForm – Contact Form, Survey, Quiz, & Custom Form Builder for Elementor

Key Information:

  • Software Type: Plugin
  • Software Slug: metform
  • Software Status: Active
  • Software Author: xpeedstudio
  • Software Downloads: 3,830,788
  • Active Installs: 300,000
  • Last Updated: June 20, 2024
  • Patched Versions: 3.8.9
  • Affected Versions: <= 3.8.8

Vulnerability Details:

  • Name: MetForm – Contact Form, Survey, Quiz, & Custom Form Builder for Elementor <= 3.8.8
  • Title: Unauthenticated Sensitive Information Exposure
  • Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
  • CVE: CVE-2024-4266
  • CVSS Score: 5.3
  • Publicly Published: June 10, 2024
  • Researcher: Tim Coen
  • Description: The MetForm – Contact Form, Survey, Quiz, & Custom Form Builder for Elementor plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in versions up to, and including, 3.8.8 via the 'handle_file' function. This can allow unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive data, such as Personally Identifiable Information, from files uploaded by users.

Summary:

The MetForm plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 3.8.8 that exposes sensitive information through the 'handle_file' function. This vulnerability has been patched in version 3.8.9.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability, identified by researcher Tim Coen, lies in how the 'handle_file' function processes file uploads within MetForm. Exploiting this flaw, unauthenticated attackers can potentially access and extract sensitive information, posing risks to user privacy and data security. The plugin update to version 3.8.9 restricts unauthorized access and mitigates this security issue.

Advice for Users:

Immediate Action: Users are strongly advised to update MetForm to version 3.8.9 or later immediately to secure their websites against potential data exposure.

Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Monitor file upload logs and review user permissions to detect any unauthorized attempts to access sensitive information.

Alternate Plugins: Consider alternative form builder plugins temporarily until MetForm is updated and verified secure.

Stay Updated: Regularly update all WordPress plugins to their latest versions to prevent vulnerabilities and maintain website security.

Conclusion:

The swift response from the MetForm plugin developers in releasing version 3.8.9 highlights the critical role of prompt updates in addressing security vulnerabilities. It is crucial for users to ensure their installations are running version 3.8.9 or later to safeguard their WordPress sites against potential exploits.

References:

Detailed Report: 

In today's digital landscape, maintaining the security of your WordPress website is paramount. Recently, a critical vulnerability was identified in the MetForm – Contact Form, Survey, Quiz, & Custom Form Builder for Elementor plugin, marked as CVE-2024-4266. This vulnerability, termed "Unauthenticated Sensitive Information Exposure," arises from flaws in the plugin's handling of file uploads via the 'handle_file' function. It allows malicious actors, without authentication, to potentially access sensitive information like Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from uploaded files. Such breaches can compromise user privacy and undermine website security.

Vulnerability Details:

The vulnerability was publicly disclosed on June 10, 2024, by researcher Tim Coen. With a CVSS score of 5.3, it underscores the moderate severity of the issue. Exploitation of this flaw could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data stored in user-uploaded files.

Summary:

The MetForm plugin, up to version 3.8.8, is vulnerable to unauthenticated sensitive information exposure due to deficiencies in file handling. This vulnerability has been effectively addressed in version 3.8.9, which all users are strongly advised to install immediately.

Detailed Overview:

The vulnerability identified in the 'handle_file' function poses significant risks to website security. Attackers could exploit this weakness to access files containing sensitive information, potentially leading to data breaches and compliance issues. The prompt release of version 3.8.9 by the plugin developers mitigates these risks by implementing stricter access controls and improving file handling security.

Advice for Users:

Website administrators are urged to take immediate action by updating MetForm to version 3.8.9 or newer. Additionally, monitoring file upload logs for suspicious activities and considering alternative form builder plugins temporarily can enhance security measures. Regularly updating all WordPress plugins is essential to mitigate potential vulnerabilities and protect against evolving cyber threats.

Conclusion:

The proactive response from the MetForm development team in swiftly releasing a patched version highlights the critical importance of timely updates in safeguarding WordPress sites. Small business owners managing their websites should prioritize staying informed about plugin vulnerabilities and promptly applying updates to protect their digital assets and maintain customer trust.

Previous vulnerabilities:

Since April 23, 2022, there have been 21 documented vulnerabilities affecting MetForm.

Staying Secure

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MetForm – Contact Form, Survey, Quiz, & Custom Form Builder for Elementor Vulnerability – Unauthenticated Sensitive Information Exposure – CVE-2024-4266 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report FAQs

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