CVE-2024-0239 identifies a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Contact Form 7 Connector WordPress plugin prior to version 1.2.3. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape a specific parameter before outputting it back to the page, which allows an attacker to inject arbitrary JavaScript code. This type of XSS is reflected, meaning the malicious script is embedded in a crafted URL or form input and executed when an administrator or user accesses the vulnerable page. Because the vulnerability affects administrative users, exploitation could lead to session hijacking, privilege escalation, or unauthorized actions within the WordPress dashboard. The CVSS 3.1 vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N) indicates that the attack can be performed remotely over the network without privileges but requires user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The scope is changed (S:C), meaning the vulnerability affects resources beyond the initially vulnerable component, and the impact is limited to confidentiality and integrity with no availability impact. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and should be addressed promptly. The Contact Form 7 Connector plugin is commonly used to integrate Contact Form 7 with other services, and its presence on WordPress sites makes this vulnerability relevant to many organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence. The lack of patch links suggests that users should upgrade to version 1.2.3 or later once available or apply recommended mitigations.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to the confidentiality and integrity of administrative sessions on WordPress sites using the Contact Form 7 Connector plugin. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of an administrator's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of sensitive data, or unauthorized administrative actions such as content modification or user management. While availability is not directly impacted, the compromise of administrative accounts could lead to broader security incidents, including defacement or malware injection. Organizations with public-facing WordPress sites that use this plugin, especially those handling sensitive customer data or internal communications, may face reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny under GDPR if personal data is exposed. The requirement for user interaction (administrator clicking a malicious link) somewhat limits the attack vector but does not eliminate risk, especially in targeted phishing campaigns. The medium CVSS score reflects these considerations. Given the widespread use of WordPress in Europe, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against government, financial, healthcare, and e-commerce sectors that rely on WordPress for their web infrastructure.

1. Update the Contact Form 7 Connector plugin to version 1.2.3 or later as soon as the patch is available to ensure the vulnerability is fixed. 2. If immediate patching is not possible, implement a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting the vulnerable parameter. 3. Harden WordPress administrative access by enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA) to reduce the risk of session hijacking. 4. Educate administrators and users about phishing risks and the dangers of clicking on unsolicited or suspicious links, especially those containing URL parameters. 5. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in the browser context. 6. Regularly audit and monitor WordPress logs for unusual access patterns or suspicious activity indicative of attempted exploitation. 7. Limit administrative user privileges to the minimum necessary to reduce potential impact if an account is compromised. 8. Consider isolating WordPress administrative interfaces behind VPNs or IP allowlists to reduce exposure to external threats.