CVE-2022-3463 is a critical vulnerability classified under CWE-1236, which involves improper neutralization of formula elements in CSV files generated by the Contact Form Plugin – Fastest Contact Form Builder Plugin for WordPress by Fluent Forms. Specifically, versions prior to 4.3.13 of this plugin do not properly validate or escape user-supplied input fields when exporting form entries as CSV files. This flaw enables CSV injection attacks, where maliciously crafted input containing spreadsheet formula syntax (e.g., starting with '=', '+', '-', or '@') can be embedded into exported CSV files. When these CSV files are opened in spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc, the malicious formulas may execute, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution, data leakage, or other harmful effects. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8, indicating critical severity, with an attack vector of network (AV:N), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction needed (UI:N), and impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and the high impact make this a significant threat. The plugin is widely used in WordPress environments to build contact forms, and the vulnerability arises during the export of form submission data as CSV files, a common administrative task. Attackers can submit specially crafted form entries that, when exported and opened by administrators or other users, trigger the malicious payload embedded in the CSV. This can lead to compromise of the victim's system or unauthorized data access.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk, especially for those relying on WordPress websites with the Fluent Forms plugin for customer interaction or data collection. The impact includes potential compromise of administrative systems when CSV exports are opened, leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or further network compromise. Given the critical CVSS score and the lack of required privileges or user interaction, attackers can remotely submit malicious form data without authentication, increasing the attack surface. This can affect confidentiality by exposing sensitive form data or internal systems, integrity by enabling unauthorized code execution, and availability by potentially disrupting administrative workflows or systems. Organizations handling personal data under GDPR must be particularly cautious, as exploitation could lead to data breaches with regulatory and reputational consequences. Additionally, the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, including government, education, and commercial sectors, amplifies the potential impact.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately update the Fluent Forms plugin to version 4.3.13 or later, where the issue is resolved. Until patching is possible, organizations should avoid exporting form entries to CSV format or open exported CSV files only in text editors rather than spreadsheet applications to prevent formula execution. Implement input validation and sanitization on form fields to detect and neutralize formula characters before submission. Employ security awareness training for administrators handling CSV exports to recognize suspicious content. Additionally, restrict access to the WordPress admin panel and export functionality using strong authentication and IP whitelisting to reduce exposure. Monitoring logs for unusual form submissions and export activities can help detect exploitation attempts. Finally, consider deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious macro or formula execution within spreadsheet applications.