The Advanced Contact form 7 DB plugin for WordPress, developed by vsourz1td, suffers from an insecure storage vulnerability classified as CWE-922. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 2.0.2. The plugin stores uploaded files in the wp-content/uploads/advanced-cf7-upload directory without adequate access controls or protections. As a result, unauthenticated attackers can directly access this directory via HTTP requests and download sensitive files submitted through contact forms. The vulnerability does not require any authentication or user interaction, making it easier to exploit remotely. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium), reflecting the network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact is limited to confidentiality loss, as attackers can only read sensitive data but cannot modify or disrupt the system. No patches or fixes have been officially released at the time of publication, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. This vulnerability highlights the importance of securing file upload directories and implementing proper access restrictions in WordPress plugins handling sensitive user data.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-3723 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information uploaded via the Advanced Contact form 7 DB plugin. Organizations using this plugin risk exposure of personal data, business-sensitive documents, or other confidential files submitted through contact forms. Such data leakage can lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR), reputational damage, and potential legal consequences. Since the vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote access, attackers can exploit it at scale to harvest data from multiple affected sites. However, the vulnerability does not enable attackers to modify data, execute code, or cause denial of service, limiting the scope to confidentiality breaches only. The impact is particularly significant for organizations handling sensitive customer or employee information through WordPress contact forms.

To mitigate CVE-2024-3723, organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Immediately restrict public access to the wp-content/uploads/advanced-cf7-upload directory by configuring web server rules (e.g., .htaccess for Apache or location blocks for Nginx) to deny direct HTTP access or require authentication. 2) Implement access controls to ensure uploaded files are only accessible by authorized users or backend processes. 3) Monitor and audit the upload directory for any unauthorized file access or suspicious activity. 4) If possible, temporarily disable the Advanced Contact form 7 DB plugin until a vendor patch is released. 5) Regularly check for updates from the plugin vendor and apply security patches promptly once available. 6) Educate site administrators on secure file upload handling and the risks of exposing upload directories. 7) Consider alternative plugins with better security practices if immediate patching is not feasible. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on access control and monitoring specific to the vulnerable upload directory.