CVE-2024-47331: Multi Step For Contact Form 7 SQLi Flaw

CVE-2024-47331 Overview

CVE-2024-47331 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability affecting the Multi Step for Contact Form plugin (cf7-multi-step) developed by Ninja Team for WordPress. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious SQL commands through improperly sanitized user input, potentially compromising the entire WordPress database and underlying server infrastructure.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated SQL Injection vulnerability enables remote attackers to extract sensitive database contents, modify data, or potentially achieve remote code execution through database-level attacks without requiring any user interaction or authentication.

Affected Products

• Ninjateam Multi Step for Contact Form 7 versions through 2.7.7
• WordPress installations using cf7-multi-step plugin
• Contact Form 7 implementations with Multi Step functionality enabled

Discovery Timeline

• 2024-10-11 - CVE-2024-47331 published to NVD
• 2026-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-47331

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands (CWE-89). The Multi Step for Contact Form plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into SQL queries executed against the WordPress database. Since the vulnerability is accessible without authentication, any remote attacker can craft malicious requests to exploit the flaw.

The attack can be conducted over the network with low complexity and requires no privileges or user interaction, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible WordPress installations. Successful exploitation can lead to complete compromise of database confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2024-47331 lies in inadequate input validation within the cf7-multi-step plugin's data handling mechanisms. User-controllable input is directly concatenated or interpolated into SQL query strings without proper parameterization or escaping. This allows attackers to break out of the intended query context and inject arbitrary SQL commands that are executed with the database privileges of the WordPress application.

Attack Vector

The vulnerability is exploitable via network-based requests to the WordPress installation. An unauthenticated attacker can submit specially crafted form data or HTTP requests to endpoints processed by the Multi Step for Contact Form plugin. The malicious input containing SQL injection payloads bypasses insufficient sanitization controls and is executed by the database engine.

Typical attack scenarios include:

• Extracting sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or configuration details from the database
• Modifying or deleting database records to deface content or disrupt operations
• Escalating to remote code execution through database features like INTO OUTFILE or stored procedures where enabled
• Establishing persistent backdoor access by inserting malicious administrator accounts

The vulnerability is described in detail in the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-47331

Indicators of Compromise

• Unusual database queries containing SQL injection patterns such as UNION SELECT, OR 1=1, or time-based payloads in web server logs
• Unexpected database errors or exceptions logged by WordPress
• Evidence of data exfiltration or unauthorized database access in database audit logs
• New administrator accounts or modified user privileges not created through normal operations

Detection Strategies

• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block common SQL injection patterns targeting WordPress plugins
• Monitor WordPress access logs for suspicious requests containing SQL metacharacters to cf7-multi-step endpoints
• Deploy database activity monitoring to identify anomalous queries indicative of injection attacks
• Configure intrusion detection systems with signatures for SQL injection against WordPress installations

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for the WordPress database to capture all query execution and authentication events
• Establish baseline patterns for normal plugin behavior and alert on deviations
• Integrate WordPress security plugins that provide real-time monitoring for suspicious activity
• Review web server logs regularly for POST requests containing SQL syntax targeting form processing endpoints

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-47331

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Multi Step for Contact Form plugin to a patched version immediately if one is available from the vendor
• If no patch is available, consider temporarily deactivating the cf7-multi-step plugin until a fix is released
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall with SQL injection protection rules in front of affected WordPress installations
• Audit the WordPress database for signs of compromise or unauthorized modifications

Patch Information

Organizations should check the official WordPress plugin repository and Ninja Team's release channels for security updates addressing CVE-2024-47331. The vulnerability affects versions through 2.7.7, so upgrading beyond this version when a patched release becomes available is essential. Additional technical details can be found in the Patchstack advisory.

Workarounds

• Disable the Multi Step for Contact Form plugin temporarily while awaiting a security patch
• Implement strict WAF rules to filter SQL injection patterns before requests reach WordPress
• Restrict access to the WordPress admin and plugin endpoints using IP allowlisting where feasible
• Consider using alternative multi-step form solutions that do not contain known vulnerabilities

# Temporarily disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate cf7-multi-step

# Verify the plugin is deactivated
wp plugin list --status=inactive | grep cf7-multi-step

# When a patched version is available, update the plugin
wp plugin update cf7-multi-step