CVE-2015-3986 in TheCartPress eCommerce Shopping Cart
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the TheCartPress eCommerce Shopping Cart (aka The Professional WordPress eCommerce Plugin) plugin for WordPress before 1.3.9.3 allows remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that conduct directory traversal attacks via the tcp_box_path parameter in the checkout_editor_settings page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/06/2025
The CVE-2015-3986 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within TheCartPress eCommerce plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 1.3.9.3. This vulnerability specifically targets the checkout_editor_settings page accessible through wp-admin/admin.php, creating a dangerous attack vector that enables remote adversaries to manipulate administrative sessions. The flaw arises from insufficient validation of user requests, particularly concerning the tcp_box_path parameter, which allows attackers to exploit the trust relationship between the legitimate administrator and the vulnerable plugin.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize input parameters received through the admin interface. When administrators navigate to the checkout_editor_settings page, the tcp_box_path parameter is processed without adequate CSRF protection mechanisms. This parameter, which controls directory traversal operations within the plugin's checkout functionality, becomes a critical entry point for attackers to execute malicious requests that appear to originate from authenticated administrators. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-352 category, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery conditions where the application fails to verify the source of requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to conduct directory traversal attacks that could potentially lead to unauthorized file access, modification, or even arbitrary code execution within the WordPress environment. An attacker could leverage this flaw to manipulate the plugin's directory structure, potentially accessing sensitive configuration files or injecting malicious code into the system. The attack requires minimal user interaction since the administrator must simply visit the vulnerable page for the CSRF attack to succeed, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrators regularly access the WordPress admin interface.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1548.002, which involves the abuse of application permissions and privileges to gain elevated access within systems. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign administrative functions can become attack vectors when proper input validation and CSRF protection mechanisms are absent. Organizations using TheCartPress plugin versions prior to 1.3.9.3 should immediately implement the recommended mitigation strategies, including updating to the patched version, implementing additional CSRF tokens, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper parameter validation and the need for robust session management practices in WordPress plugin development, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles and WordPress security guidelines.