CVE-2019-11807 in Checkout Manager Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The WooCommerce Checkout Manager plugin before 4.3 for WordPress allows media deletion via the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=update_attachment_wccm wccm_default_keys_load parameter because of a nopriv_ registration and a lack of capabilities checks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-11807 affects the WooCommerce Checkout Manager plugin version 4.3 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw within the WordPress ecosystem. This issue stems from improper access control mechanisms that permit unauthorized deletion of media files through the administrative ajax endpoint. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=update_attachment_wccm endpoint is accessed with the wccm_default_keys_load parameter, creating a path for malicious actors to exploit the plugin's functionality.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's insufficient capability checks and improper nopriv_ registration for the affected endpoint. The nopriv_ prefix in WordPress typically indicates that a function should be accessible to non-logged-in users, but in this case, it has been improperly applied to a function that should require administrative privileges. This design flaw allows attackers to execute media deletion operations without proper authentication or authorization. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically manifesting as inadequate privileges for critical operations. According to the ATT&CK framework, this represents a privilege escalation technique where an attacker gains elevated capabilities through improper access controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to delete media files from the WordPress site's media library. This can result in significant data loss, disruption of website functionality, and potential reputational damage for businesses relying on WooCommerce for their online operations. The deletion of media files can affect product images, blog posts, and other critical visual content that forms the backbone of e-commerce websites. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause service disruption, deface websites, or create conditions that facilitate further attacks. The vulnerability also impacts the integrity and availability of the WordPress installation, potentially compromising the entire site's operational continuity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected site administrators. The primary recommendation is to upgrade the WooCommerce Checkout Manager plugin to version 4.3 or later, where the access control issues have been addressed. Additionally, administrators should implement proper access controls and monitor their WordPress installations for unauthorized modifications. The fix typically involves adding proper capability checks to ensure that only users with appropriate administrative privileges can access the update_attachment_wccm endpoint. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level protections such as web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious ajax requests. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar access control flaws in other plugins and themes, as this represents a common pattern of security issues in WordPress ecosystems. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper access control implementation and the potential consequences of inadequate privilege management in web applications.