CVE-2024-12713 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-862 (Missing Authorization) found in the SureForms – Drag and Drop Form Builder for WordPress plugin, versions up to and including 1.2.2. The vulnerability stems from the handle_export_form() function lacking proper capability checks, which means it does not verify whether the requester has the necessary permissions before allowing export of form data. This security oversight enables unauthenticated attackers to export data from posts that are password protected, private, or in draft status—content that should normally be inaccessible to unauthorized users. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring any privileges or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting the limited impact on confidentiality only, with no impact on integrity or availability. No known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, but the vulnerability could be leveraged to leak sensitive information from vulnerable WordPress sites. The plugin is widely used in WordPress environments, which are prevalent globally, making this a relevant threat to many organizations relying on WordPress for website management. The lack of an official patch link suggests that users must monitor vendor updates or implement temporary mitigations to reduce exposure.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is unauthorized information disclosure, which can lead to leakage of sensitive or confidential data stored in password protected, private, or draft posts. This can compromise the confidentiality of organizational data, potentially exposing business-sensitive information, intellectual property, or user data. While the vulnerability does not affect data integrity or system availability, the exposure of sensitive content can lead to reputational damage, loss of customer trust, and potential regulatory compliance issues depending on the nature of the exposed data. Since exploitation requires no authentication or user interaction, attackers can automate attacks at scale, increasing the risk for organizations with publicly accessible WordPress sites using the affected plugin. This can also serve as a reconnaissance vector for further attacks. Organizations worldwide that rely on WordPress and use the SureForms plugin are at risk, especially those hosting sensitive or regulated content.

1. Immediate mitigation involves disabling or uninstalling the SureForms plugin until an official patch is released. 2. Monitor the vendor’s official channels for security updates and apply patches promptly once available. 3. Implement web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to block unauthorized access attempts to the handle_export_form() endpoint or related export functionality. 4. Restrict access to WordPress admin and plugin endpoints by IP whitelisting or VPN access where feasible. 5. Conduct regular audits of WordPress plugins and remove any unnecessary or outdated plugins to reduce attack surface. 6. Use security plugins that can detect and alert on unauthorized access attempts or suspicious export activities. 7. Educate site administrators about the risks of using plugins without proper authorization checks and encourage secure plugin management practices. 8. Review and harden WordPress user roles and permissions to minimize exposure of sensitive content. 9. Consider implementing content encryption or additional access controls on sensitive posts as an additional layer of defense.