CVE-2016-4827 in Collne Welcart e-Commerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Collne Welcart e-Commerce plugin before 1.8.3 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via unspecified vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-4826.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/20/2025
The CVE-2016-4827 vulnerability represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the Collne Welcart e-Commerce plugin for WordPress systems. This security weakness affects versions prior to 1.8.3 and enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected websites. The vulnerability operates through unspecified attack vectors that differ from the related CVE-2016-4826, indicating a distinct exploitation method within the same software component. The flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is a critical web application security concern that allows attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users. This particular vulnerability demonstrates how e-commerce plugins can introduce significant security risks to WordPress installations, as these plugins often handle sensitive user data and transactional information.
The technical implementation of this XSS vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the Collne Welcart plugin code. Attackers can leverage this weakness by crafting malicious payloads that get executed when legitimate users browse pages containing the injected content. The unspecified vectors suggest that the vulnerability may exist in multiple input points within the plugin's functionality, potentially including product descriptions, user comments, or administrative inputs. When users interact with compromised pages, their browsers execute the injected scripts, which can lead to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The vulnerability's classification as a remote attack vector means that exploitation does not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous for widely used WordPress plugins. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in web applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-4827 extends beyond simple script injection, potentially compromising entire WordPress installations and user data integrity. When exploited, the vulnerability can enable attackers to steal user sessions, manipulate website content, or redirect visitors to phishing sites that mimic legitimate e-commerce platforms. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that e-commerce plugins typically handle sensitive customer information including personal details, payment information, and browsing history. Organizations using affected versions of the Collne Welcart plugin face significant risk of data breaches, loss of customer trust, and potential regulatory violations under data protection laws. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access through more sophisticated exploitation techniques, potentially leading to complete system compromise. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content, making it a critical target for defensive security measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4827 primarily focus on immediate plugin updates to version 1.8.3 or later, which contain the necessary security patches. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress installations and ensure prompt remediation. Input validation and output encoding should be implemented as defensive measures, with proper sanitization of all user-provided content before processing or display. Web application firewalls can provide additional protection layers by monitoring for suspicious script patterns and blocking malicious payloads. Regular security audits and penetration testing of WordPress environments help identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. Organizations should also implement content security policies to prevent execution of unauthorized scripts, and maintain up-to-date backup procedures to enable rapid recovery from potential exploitation incidents. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of keeping all WordPress components updated and following secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms.