CVE-2020-36175:The Ninja Forms WordPress plugin before version 3.4.27.1 contains an input validation vulnerability allowing attackers to bypass email field validation.

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In Ninja Forms plugin versions prior to 3.4.27.1 for WordPress, there exists a vulnerability classified as CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation). This security flaw allows malicious actors to bypass validation mechanisms specifically in the email field of forms created with the plugin. This could potentially lead to form submissions with invalid email addresses, which might be used in various attack scenarios including data poisoning, form submission spam, or as part of a larger attack chain.

Overview

Ninja Forms is a popular WordPress form builder plugin used by many websites to create contact forms and other user input mechanisms. The vulnerability (CVE-2020-36175) affects all versions prior to 3.4.27.1 and involves improper validation of email field inputs. When exploited, attackers can submit forms with invalid email addresses that would normally be rejected by proper validation mechanisms. This could lead to collection of invalid contact information, potential database pollution, or be leveraged as part of more sophisticated attacks. The issue stems from insufficient input validation (CWE-20) in the plugin's form processing functionality.

Remediation

Website administrators using the Ninja Forms plugin should immediately update to version 3.4.27.1 or later to address this vulnerability. The update can be performed through the WordPress admin dashboard by navigating to the Plugins section and applying available updates. If automatic updates are not possible, manual update can be performed by downloading the latest version from the WordPress plugin repository and installing it.

Additionally, site administrators should:

  1. Review form submissions for any potentially malicious or invalid email entries
  2. Consider implementing additional server-side validation for critical forms
  3. Monitor logs for suspicious form submission activity
  4. Consider implementing CAPTCHA or other anti-spam measures if not already in place

References

  1. WordPress Plugin Repository - Ninja Forms: https://wordpress.org/plugins/ninja-forms/#developers
  2. Ninja Forms Release Notes: https://wordpress.org/plugins/ninja-forms/#developers
  3. Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE-20): Improper Input Validation

Industry ExposureMost to least
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.

  1. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  2. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  3. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  4. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  5. Construction
    Construction
  6. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  7. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  8. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  9. Information
    Information
  10. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  11. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  12. Mining
    Mining
  13. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  14. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  15. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  16. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing
  17. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  18. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  19. Utilities
    Utilities
  20. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade

Focus on What Matters

  1. See Everything.
  2. Identify True Risk.
  3. Proactively Mitigate Threats.

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