CVE-2021-4392 in eCommerce Product Catalog Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/01/2023
The eCommerce Product Catalog Plugin for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 2.9.43. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the implecode_save_products_meta() function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to save product meta data 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 • 07/01/2023
The eCommerce Product Catalog Plugin for WordPress represents a widely used tool for managing online product inventories within wordpress environments. This particular vulnerability affects versions up to and including 2943, exposing the plugin to cross-site request forgery attacks that can compromise the integrity of product metadata management. The flaw exists within the implecode_save_products_meta() function where proper nonce validation mechanisms are either absent or incorrectly implemented, creating a significant security gap that adversaries can exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper cryptographic token validation within the plugin's administrative functions. Nonce values serve as critical security measures that ensure requests originate from legitimate administrative sessions and prevent unauthorized modifications to product data. Without these protective mechanisms, attackers can construct malicious requests that appear to come from authenticated administrators, bypassing standard access controls and authentication checks that normally protect sensitive administrative functions. This represents a classic csrf vulnerability pattern where the attack vector leverages the trust relationship between the web application and the user's browser.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification capabilities, as it enables attackers to manipulate product catalog information that could affect business operations, revenue streams, and customer trust. An attacker could potentially modify product prices, descriptions, availability status, or other critical metadata fields that directly influence purchasing decisions. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no prior credentials or access privileges are required, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed by anyone who can entice an administrator to interact with a malicious link. This creates a significant risk for online retailers who depend on accurate product information for their business operations.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate plugin updates to versions that address the nonce validation issues, as well as implementing additional security layers such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious csrf patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing additional administrative controls including two-factor authentication, limiting administrative access to trusted networks, and conducting regular security audits of installed plugins. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data from information repositories, as the attack targets repository data through unauthorized modification of administrative functions. The incident underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications, particularly within e-commerce platforms where data integrity directly impacts business operations and customer trust.