CVE-2024-12255 is an information exposure vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'Accept Stripe Payments Using Contact Form 7' developed by zealopensource. The flaw exists in all plugin versions up to and including 2.5 and is caused by the cf7sa-info.php file, which outputs the phpinfo() function data without any access restrictions. The phpinfo() output includes detailed information about the server environment, PHP configuration, loaded modules, environment variables, and other sensitive data. Because this file is accessible without authentication, any remote attacker can retrieve this information simply by accessing the vulnerable endpoint. This exposure can reveal critical details such as server paths, software versions, installed extensions, and environment variables that may contain credentials or tokens. Attackers can leverage this information to identify further vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or to craft targeted attacks such as privilege escalation, code injection, or lateral movement within the affected infrastructure. The vulnerability does not allow direct modification of data or denial of service but compromises confidentiality. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3, with vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N, indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges or user interaction required, and limited confidentiality impact. No patches or official fixes have been linked yet, and no exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-200 (Exposure of Sensitive Information) and CWE-732 (Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource).

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12255 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive server and application configuration information. This can facilitate further attacks by providing attackers with insights into the environment, such as software versions, enabled modules, server paths, and potentially sensitive environment variables. Organizations using the affected plugin in their WordPress sites, especially those handling payment processing via Stripe, risk exposing information that could be used to bypass security controls or escalate privileges. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise data integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can lead to more severe attacks, including targeted exploitation of other vulnerabilities or credential theft. This risk is particularly significant for e-commerce websites and businesses relying on WordPress plugins for payment processing, as attackers may combine this information with other attack vectors to compromise customer data or payment transactions. The lack of authentication and user interaction requirements means the vulnerability can be exploited easily by remote attackers scanning for vulnerable endpoints. The absence of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often develop exploits after public disclosure.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12255, organizations should immediately restrict access to the cf7sa-info.php file by implementing web server access controls such as IP whitelisting or authentication requirements to prevent unauthenticated access. If possible, disable or remove the cf7sa-info.php file entirely from the plugin directory to eliminate the exposure vector. Monitor web server logs for any access attempts to this file to detect potential reconnaissance activity. Update the plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor or consider temporarily disabling the plugin if it is not critical to operations. Employ web application firewalls (WAFs) to block requests targeting the vulnerable endpoint. Conduct a thorough review of server and application configurations to ensure no other sensitive information is exposed inadvertently. Additionally, review environment variables and configuration files for sensitive data and rotate any credentials or tokens that may have been exposed. Implement a defense-in-depth strategy by hardening the WordPress environment, including limiting plugin usage to trusted sources and regularly auditing installed plugins for vulnerabilities.