CVE-2014-6313 in WooCommerce plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WooCommerce plugin before 2.2.3 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the range parameter on the wc-reports page to wp-admin/admin.php.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2024
The CVE-2014-6313 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the WooCommerce plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 2.2.3. This vulnerability resides in the administrative interface of the popular e-commerce plugin, specifically within the wc-reports page located at wp-admin/admin.php. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of authenticated administrator sessions, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation and the underlying e-commerce operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the WooCommerce plugin's reporting functionality. When users navigate to the wc-reports page and manipulate the range parameter through URL manipulation, the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before rendering it in the web page output. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that executes in the browser of any user who accesses the affected page, particularly administrators who possess elevated privileges. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS attack pattern where malicious input is immediately reflected back to the user without proper encoding or sanitization.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to escalate privileges and compromise the entire WordPress administrative environment. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to sensitive customer data, manipulate product catalogs, modify pricing information, execute fraudulent transactions, and potentially establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets the administrative interface where critical system functions are performed, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to gain comprehensive control over e-commerce operations. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, which is a fundamental weakness in web application security.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability as part of a broader attack chain, using it to establish a foothold within the WordPress environment before moving laterally to compromise other systems. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of credential compromise and privilege escalation techniques, as administrators who visit the malicious page become victims of the XSS attack. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability was particularly concerning in 2014 when it was discovered, as many WordPress installations were running outdated WooCommerce versions that had not yet been patched.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement multiple layers of mitigation strategies. The primary and most critical mitigation involves upgrading to WooCommerce version 2.2.3 or later, which contains the necessary input validation patches. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input filtering at the web application firewall level, particularly for the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint and related reporting parameters. Network-based mitigations could include implementing strict content security policies that prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, though this approach is less effective than proper input sanitization. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping all WordPress components updated, as unpatched plugins represent significant attack vectors for sophisticated adversaries. Organizations should consider implementing web application security monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on suspicious parameter manipulation attempts.