CVE-2024-3073 is a vulnerability classified under CWE-451 (User Interface Misrepresentation of Critical Information) found in the Easy WP SMTP by SendLayer WordPress plugin, which is used to configure SMTP settings and log emails. The flaw exists in all versions up to 2.3.0, where the plugin displays the SMTP password in plaintext within the SMTP Password field on the settings page. This exposure occurs when an authenticated user with administrative privileges or higher views the plugin settings, allowing them to see the SMTP password directly. Although this does not permit unauthorized users to gain access, it increases the risk if an administrator account is compromised, as the attacker could then retrieve the SMTP credentials and potentially abuse the email server for phishing, spam, or further lateral movement. The vulnerability does not affect the integrity or availability of the system, and no user interaction beyond authentication is required. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 2.7, reflecting low severity due to the limited scope and prerequisite of admin-level access. No patches or fixes have been published at the time of disclosure, and there are no known active exploits in the wild. The vulnerability highlights a UI design flaw where sensitive information is unnecessarily exposed to privileged users, violating the principle of least privilege and secure credential handling.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-3073 is the potential exposure of SMTP credentials to any user with administrative access to the WordPress site using the vulnerable plugin. If an attacker compromises an admin account, they can retrieve the SMTP password and potentially misuse the email server for sending unauthorized emails, phishing campaigns, or spamming, which could lead to reputational damage and blacklisting of the organization's mail server. While the vulnerability itself does not allow privilege escalation or direct system compromise, it facilitates further attacks by exposing sensitive credentials. Organizations relying on this plugin may face increased risk of email-based attacks and data leakage if admin accounts are not properly secured. The impact is limited to confidentiality loss of SMTP credentials and does not affect system integrity or availability. Since the vulnerability requires admin-level access, the overall risk is mitigated by strong access controls but remains a concern in environments with multiple administrators or weak credential management.

To mitigate CVE-2024-3073, organizations should immediately restrict administrative access to trusted personnel only and enforce strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all admin accounts. Regularly audit and monitor admin account activity for suspicious behavior. Until an official patch is released, consider temporarily disabling or replacing the Easy WP SMTP plugin with alternative SMTP plugins that do not expose credentials in the UI. If disabling the plugin is not feasible, limit access to the plugin settings page via role-based access controls or custom code to prevent unnecessary exposure. Additionally, rotate SMTP passwords regularly and avoid reusing credentials across multiple services. Implement logging and alerting on email server usage to detect potential abuse. Stay informed about vendor updates and apply patches promptly once available. Finally, educate administrators about the risks of credential exposure and the importance of safeguarding access credentials.