CVE-2024-3870 is an information exposure vulnerability classified under CWE-200, found in the Contact Form 7 Database Addon – CFDB7 WordPress plugin developed by arshidkv12. This vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 1.2.6.8 and is triggered via the cfdb7_before_send_mail function. The flaw allows unauthenticated remote attackers to extract sensitive data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), from files uploaded by users through the contact form. The vulnerability arises because the plugin fails to properly restrict access to sensitive data before sending emails, enabling attackers to retrieve data without authentication or user interaction. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 5.3 (medium severity), reflecting the network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, and no user interaction needed. The impact is limited to confidentiality, with no effect on integrity or availability. No patches or fixes are currently published, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin, which is widely used in WordPress environments to store and manage contact form submissions. Given the plugin’s popularity, this vulnerability poses a significant risk of sensitive data leakage if exploited.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-3870 is unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII), which can lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and reputational damage. Organizations relying on the CFDB7 plugin to store user-submitted data risk exposure of confidential customer or employee data. Although the vulnerability does not affect system integrity or availability, the confidentiality breach can facilitate further attacks such as identity theft, phishing, or social engineering. Since the exploit requires no authentication or user interaction, attackers can remotely and anonymously harvest sensitive data at scale. This risk is particularly acute for organizations handling sensitive customer information or operating in regulated industries. The lack of a patch increases the window of exposure, and the widespread use of WordPress and this plugin amplifies the potential attack surface globally.

Until an official patch is released, organizations should implement the following mitigations: 1) Disable or remove the Contact Form 7 Database Addon – CFDB7 plugin if it is not essential; 2) Restrict access to the cfdb7_before_send_mail function by applying web application firewall (WAF) rules to block unauthorized requests targeting this functionality; 3) Limit file upload types and sizes to reduce sensitive data exposure; 4) Monitor web server and application logs for unusual access patterns or attempts to exploit the vulnerability; 5) Implement strict access controls and ensure least privilege on WordPress admin and plugin management; 6) Regularly back up data and review data retention policies to minimize stored sensitive information; 7) Once a patch is available, promptly update the plugin to the fixed version; 8) Educate site administrators about the risks and signs of exploitation. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on immediate risk reduction and proactive monitoring specific to this vulnerability’s attack vector.