CVE-2022-3603 in Export Customers List CSV for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/28/2022
The Export customers list csv for WooCommerce, WordPress users csv, export Guest customer list WordPress plugin before 2.0.69 does not validate data when outputting it back in a CSV file, which could lead to CSV injection.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3603 affects the Export customers list csv for WooCommerce WordPress plugin version 2.0.69 and earlier. This issue resides within the plugin's data export functionality that generates CSV files containing customer information including both registered users and guest customers. The flaw manifests when the plugin processes and outputs customer data without proper validation of the content being written to the CSV format.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization during the CSV export process. When user-supplied data containing special characters such as equals signs, formulas, or other CSV injection vectors are included in customer information fields, the plugin fails to properly escape or sanitize these values before writing them to the CSV file. This creates an environment where maliciously crafted data can be interpreted by spreadsheet applications as executable formulas rather than plain text data. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1236, which addresses the improper neutralization of special elements used in a CSV file, and represents a classic example of CSV injection attacks that have been documented in various security frameworks including the OWASP Top Ten.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption or display issues. When spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or LibreOffice Calc open the exported CSV files, they may interpret maliciously crafted data as formulas or commands, potentially leading to unauthorized code execution, data exfiltration, or system compromise. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by registering with specially crafted customer information containing formula-based payloads such as =cmd|'calc'!A0 or similar constructs that would execute system commands when the CSV is opened. This presents a significant risk to businesses relying on WooCommerce for e-commerce operations, as compromised customer data could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information, financial losses, and regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.0.69 or later, which contains the necessary validation and sanitization fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including the restriction of CSV export functionality for sensitive data, implementation of proper input validation at multiple layers, and regular security auditing of WordPress plugins. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution and T1021.001 for remote services, highlighting the potential for lateral movement and system compromise through exploitation. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit exposure, while regular security assessments of WordPress installations should include thorough plugin vulnerability scanning to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.