CVE-2024-1776 is an SQL Injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89 found in the Admin side data storage functionality of the Contact Form 7 plugin for WordPress, developed by zestardtechnologies. The vulnerability exists in all versions up to 1.1.1 due to insufficient escaping and lack of prepared statements when handling the 'form-id' parameter. This parameter is used in SQL queries without proper neutralization of special characters, allowing an authenticated attacker with administrator privileges to append arbitrary SQL commands. This can lead to unauthorized database queries that extract sensitive information, modify data, or disrupt database operations. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require high privilege levels, limiting exploitation to trusted users with admin access. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.2, indicating high severity with impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No patches or exploits in the wild are currently documented, but the risk remains significant given the widespread use of Contact Form 7 and the critical nature of admin-level access. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and proper input validation in WordPress plugins.

The impact of CVE-2024-1776 is substantial for organizations using the affected Contact Form 7 plugin versions. Successful exploitation allows attackers with administrator privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands, potentially leading to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data such as user information, credentials, or business data stored in the WordPress database. Additionally, attackers could alter or delete data, causing integrity issues or denial of service conditions. Since the vulnerability requires admin-level access, the threat is primarily from insider threats or compromised administrator accounts. However, once exploited, the attacker gains significant control over the database, which can facilitate further attacks or data exfiltration. Organizations relying on Contact Form 7 for contact management or data collection face risks of data breaches, regulatory non-compliance, and reputational damage. The vulnerability also increases the attack surface for targeted attacks against WordPress sites, which are widely used globally.

To mitigate CVE-2024-1776, organizations should immediately update the Contact Form 7 plugin to a version that addresses this vulnerability once released by zestardtechnologies. Until a patch is available, administrators should restrict access to the WordPress admin panel to trusted personnel only and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of compromised admin accounts. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious SQL injection patterns targeting the 'form-id' parameter can provide temporary protection. Regularly audit and monitor database queries and logs for unusual activity indicative of SQL injection attempts. Additionally, review and harden database user permissions to limit the potential damage from injected queries. Developers maintaining WordPress plugins should adopt secure coding practices including the use of prepared statements, parameterized queries, and rigorous input validation to prevent similar vulnerabilities. Backup critical data regularly to enable recovery in case of data corruption or loss.