CVE-2022-3490 in Checkout Field Editor for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/28/2022
The Checkout Field Editor (Checkout Manager) for WooCommerce WordPress plugin before 1.8.0 unserializes user input provided via the settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform PHP Object Injection when a suitable gadget is present
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3490 affects the Checkout Field Editor plugin for WooCommerce, a widely used WordPress extension that manages checkout form fields. This issue exists in versions prior to 1.8.0 and represents a critical security flaw that enables PHP Object Injection attacks when combined with suitable gadget chains. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and sanitization within the plugin's settings handling mechanism, where user-provided data undergoes unsafe unserialization processes.
The technical flaw occurs when administrators interact with the plugin's settings interface and provide malicious input that gets unserialized without proper security checks. This unserialization process allows attackers with administrative privileges to inject malicious PHP objects into the application's memory space. When the plugin processes these objects during subsequent operations, the malicious code executes with the privileges of the affected WordPress installation. The vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's configuration handling where user input is directly used in unserialize() functions without adequate validation or sanitization measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it provides attackers with a pathway for privilege escalation and potential system compromise. An attacker with administrative access can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on the affected WordPress site, potentially leading to full system compromise, data exfiltration, or the deployment of backdoors. The attack vector requires only administrative privileges, which makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or through credential compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation becomes more effective when combined with existing gadget chains present in the WordPress environment or related plugins, amplifying the potential damage.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-502 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically covering PHP Object Injection flaws that occur when untrusted data is passed to the unserialize() function. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as T1059.007 for PHP code execution and T1078 for valid accounts usage. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of WooCommerce and its associated plugins, making this vulnerability a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to version 1.8.0 or later, which addresses the unsafe unserialization practices by implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the patched plugin version, followed by comprehensive security audits of the WordPress installation to identify any potential exploitation attempts. Administrators should implement additional security measures such as limiting administrative privileges, enforcing multi-factor authentication, and monitoring for unusual plugin behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in WordPress plugin development, particularly around input handling and object serialization. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious unserialization patterns and maintain regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in their plugin ecosystem.