CVE-2022-0397 in WPC Smart Wishlist for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/28/2022
The WPC Smart Wishlist for WooCommerce WordPress plugin before 2.9.4 does not sanitise and escape the key parameter before outputting it back in the wishlist_quickview AJAX action's response (available to any authenticated user), leading to a Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0397 affects the WPC Smart Wishlist for WooCommerce WordPress plugin version 2.9.3 and earlier, presenting a critical reflected cross-site scripting flaw that can be exploited by authenticated users. This vulnerability exists within the wishlist_quickview AJAX action where the key parameter is not properly sanitised or escaped before being output back to the user interface, creating a persistent security risk that can be leveraged for malicious activities.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's handling of user input within the AJAX response mechanism, specifically when processing the key parameter during wishlist quickview operations. When an authenticated user triggers this functionality, the plugin fails to implement proper input validation and output escaping measures, allowing maliciously crafted payloads to be reflected back to the user's browser. This creates a classic reflected XSS vulnerability where attacker-controlled data flows directly into the browser without appropriate sanitisation, enabling potential exploitation through various attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged by authenticated users to perform malicious activities such as session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can craft specific requests that, when executed by a victim, will execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context. This allows for the potential compromise of user sessions, data exfiltration, and the execution of unauthorized actions within the WordPress admin environment. The vulnerability affects any authenticated user, including administrators, which significantly amplifies its potential impact on the overall security posture of affected WordPress installations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to version 2.9.4 or later, which addresses the sanitisation and escaping issues in the AJAX response handling. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms throughout the plugin's codebase, particularly for parameters used in AJAX responses. Security measures should include the implementation of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, regular security audits of third-party plugins, and monitoring for suspicious user activities. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through phishing attacks that could exploit such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and regular security scanning to detect similar issues in other components of their WordPress installations.