CVE-2020-36736 in WooCommerce Checkout & Funnel Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2023
The WooCommerce Checkout & Funnel Builder by CartFlows plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.5.15. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the export_json, import_json, and status_logs_file functions. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to import/export settings and trigger logs showing via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36736 affects the WooCommerce Checkout & Funnel Builder plugin developed by CartFlows, specifically impacting versions up to and including 1.5.15. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits the plugin's insufficient validation mechanisms for administrative operations within WordPress environments. The issue resides in the plugin's handling of sensitive functions that manage configuration data and system logging, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the target website's operational parameters without proper authentication. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it leverages the fundamental principle of cross-site request forgery attacks, where an attacker can trick authenticated users into executing unwanted actions on a web application where they are currently authenticated.
The technical flaw manifests through the absence of proper nonce validation within three critical functions: export_json, import_json, and status_logs_file. Nonces serve as cryptographic tokens that verify the authenticity and integrity of requests in WordPress, ensuring that operations originate from legitimate administrative sources. When these validation checks are missing or improperly implemented, attackers can construct malicious requests that appear to come from authorized administrators. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which describes Cross-Site Request Forgery, and represents a classic example of insufficient validation of a nonce parameter. The lack of proper authentication verification means that any user who can access the plugin's administrative interface can potentially manipulate sensitive data, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise entire website infrastructures. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could import malicious configurations that alter checkout processes, redirect customer flows, or introduce backdoors into the website's operations. The ability to export configuration data also provides attackers with valuable intelligence about the website's structure and implementation details, which could be used for further exploitation attempts. Furthermore, the status_logs_file function exposure allows attackers to access sensitive operational data that might contain system vulnerabilities, user behavior patterns, or other confidential information. This vulnerability particularly affects e-commerce environments where the integrity of checkout processes is paramount, as attackers could potentially manipulate customer transactions or redirect payments to malicious destinations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that properly implement nonce validation across all administrative functions. System administrators must ensure that the CartFlows plugin is updated to the latest version where these CSRF protections have been implemented. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in administrative function calls, particularly those involving JSON data import/export operations. Additionally, implementing role-based access controls and restricting administrative privileges to only essential personnel reduces the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls that can detect and block CSRF attempts, and regular security audits that specifically target plugin vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1213, which describes Data from Information Repositories, as attackers can extract and manipulate sensitive configuration data through these exposed functions, potentially leading to more sophisticated attacks targeting the broader system infrastructure.