📄 Description (English)
The The Contact Form, Survey, Quiz & Popup Form Builder – ARForms plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.2. This is due to the software allowing users to execute an action that does not properly validate a value before running do_shortcode. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2024-13785 affects the ARForms WordPress plugin (versions ≤1.7.2), allowing unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary shortcodes through improper input validation. This vulnerability enables attackers to bypass security controls and potentially execute malicious code on affected WordPress sites. While no public exploit is available, the vulnerability poses a significant risk to organizations using this plugin, particularly those in Saudi Arabia relying on WordPress for web presence.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 24, 2026 21:17
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi organizations using WordPress for e-commerce, government portals, healthcare information systems, and corporate websites. Most at-risk sectors include: Banking and Financial Services (SAMA-regulated entities using WordPress for customer portals), Government agencies (NCA oversight), Healthcare providers (MOH-regulated), Telecommunications companies (STC, Mobily), and E-commerce platforms. The arbitrary shortcode execution could lead to data exfiltration, malware injection, website defacement, and compromise of customer information stored in contact forms and surveys.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Banking and Financial Services
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare and Medical Services
Telecommunications
E-commerce and Retail
Education
Energy and Utilities
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
6.8
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Identify all WordPress installations using ARForms plugin version 1.7.2 or earlier
2. Disable the ARForms plugin immediately as a temporary measure
3. Review access logs for suspicious shortcode execution patterns
4. Audit all contact forms, surveys, and quiz submissions for malicious content
Patching Guidance:
1. Contact ARForms developers for security patch availability
2. Monitor official plugin repository for version updates
3. Once patched version is released, update to latest version immediately
4. Test updates in staging environment before production deployment
Compensating Controls (if patching delayed):
1. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block suspicious shortcode patterns
2. Restrict plugin functionality using security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri)
3. Implement input validation at application level
4. Enable WordPress security hardening: disable file editing, restrict plugin access
5. Monitor for do_shortcode execution in error logs
Detection Rules:
1. Monitor for POST requests containing shortcode syntax: [, ], do_shortcode
2. Alert on execution of unexpected shortcodes in contact form submissions
3. Track plugin file modifications and unauthorized function calls
4. Implement IDS signatures for arbitrary code execution attempts
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع تثبيتات ووردبريس التي تستخدم إضافة ARForms الإصدار 1.7.2 أو أقدم
2. تعطيل إضافة ARForms فوراً كإجراء مؤقت
3. مراجعة سجلات الوصول للأنماط المريبة في تنفيذ الاختصارات
4. تدقيق جميع نماذج الاتصال والاستطلاعات والاختبارات للمحتوى الضار
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. التواصل مع مطوري ARForms للحصول على تحديث أمني
2. مراقبة مستودع الإضافات الرسمي للتحديثات
3. عند إصدار نسخة مصححة، قم بالتحديث فوراً
4. اختبر التحديثات في بيئة الاختبار قبل الإنتاج
عناصر التحكم البديلة:
1. تطبيق قواعد جدار الحماية لحجب أنماط الاختصارات المريبة
2. تقييد وظائف الإضافة باستخدام إضافات الأمان
3. تطبيق التحقق من المدخلات على مستوى التطبيق
4. تفعيل تقسية ووردبريس: تعطيل تحرير الملفات
5. مراقبة تنفيذ do_shortcode في سجلات الأخطاء
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة طلبات POST التي تحتوي على بناء جملة الاختصارات
2. تنبيهات عند تنفيذ اختصارات غير متوقعة
3. تتبع تعديلات ملفات الإضافة
4. تطبيق توقيعات IDS لمحاولات تنفيذ الأكواد
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.14.2.1 - Information security requirements in third-party relationships (plugin security)
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Establishment of information security event procedures
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.BE-1 - Governance and risk management
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access control and authentication
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and analysis of anomalies
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.23 - Information security for supplier relationships
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - User endpoint devices
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities and exposures
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 - Ensure security patches are installed within one month
PCI DSS 6.5.1 - Injection flaws prevention
PCI DSS 11.2 - Vulnerability scanning requirements