CVE-2024-1130 is a vulnerability identified in the NEX-Forms – Ultimate Form Builder WordPress plugin, which is widely used for creating contact forms and other form types on WordPress sites. The root cause is a missing authorization check in the set_read() function, which is responsible for marking form submission records as read. This missing capability check means that any authenticated user with at least subscriber-level privileges can invoke this function to alter the read status of form records without proper authorization. This vulnerability does not allow attackers to read or delete data but compromises the integrity of form submission records by enabling unauthorized status changes. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 8.5.6 of the plugin. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), with an attack vector of network, low attack complexity, no privileges required beyond subscriber-level access, and no user interaction needed. No known exploits have been reported in the wild to date. The vulnerability falls under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), indicating a failure to properly enforce access control. Since the plugin is used in WordPress environments, which are prevalent globally, the vulnerability has broad potential impact. However, exploitation requires authenticated access, limiting risk to environments where subscriber accounts can be created or compromised. The lack of a patch link suggests that users should monitor vendor updates closely or apply manual mitigations. This vulnerability primarily affects the integrity of form data rather than confidentiality or availability.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-1130 is on data integrity within affected WordPress sites using the NEX-Forms plugin. Unauthorized users with subscriber-level access can mark form submission records as read, potentially misleading administrators or automated processes that rely on accurate read/unread status. This could disrupt workflows, cause missed or mishandled form responses, and reduce trust in form data accuracy. Although the vulnerability does not expose sensitive data or allow deletion, the ability to alter record status without authorization can be leveraged in targeted attacks to obfuscate malicious activity or interfere with incident response. Organizations relying heavily on form data for customer interactions, support tickets, or lead generation may experience operational impacts. Since exploitation requires authenticated access, the threat is heightened in environments with weak user account controls or where subscriber accounts can be created by untrusted users. The vulnerability does not affect system availability or confidentiality directly but can indirectly impact business processes and decision-making based on form data integrity.

To mitigate CVE-2024-1130, organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately update the NEX-Forms plugin to the latest version once a patch is released by the vendor to address the missing authorization check. 2) Until a patch is available, restrict subscriber-level user capabilities by reviewing and tightening WordPress user roles and permissions to limit who can authenticate and access form management functions. 3) Implement strong user authentication and account management policies to prevent unauthorized creation or compromise of subscriber accounts. 4) Monitor logs and audit trails for unusual activity related to form record status changes, especially marking records as read. 5) Consider temporarily disabling or restricting access to the affected plugin features if feasible in high-risk environments. 6) Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block unauthorized attempts to invoke the set_read() function. 7) Educate administrators and users about the risk and encourage vigilance for suspicious behavior. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control tightening, monitoring, and interim protective actions prior to patch availability.