CVE-2023-28665 in Woo Bulk Price Update Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2023
The Woo Bulk Price Update WordPress plugin, in versions < 2.2.2, is affected by a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability in the 'page' parameter to the techno_get_products action, which can only be triggered by an authenticated user.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-28665 affects the Woo Bulk Price Update WordPress plugin, specifically targeting versions prior to 2.2.2. This issue represents a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that exists within the plugin's handling of the 'page' parameter in the techno_get_products action. The vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, meaning that an attacker must first gain access to a valid user account within the WordPress environment before they can leverage this weakness. The reflected XSS nature indicates that malicious input is reflected back to the user through the web application's response, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the victim's browser context.
The technical flaw manifests in how the plugin processes the 'page' parameter within the techno_get_products action, which is typically used for pagination or navigation within the plugin's interface. When an authenticated user accesses a page that contains this vulnerable parameter, the application fails to properly sanitize or escape the input before incorporating it into the HTTP response. This allows an attacker to inject malicious scripts that can execute in the browser of any user who views the affected page. The vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's administrative interface where bulk price updates are managed, making it particularly concerning for users who have administrative privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. An authenticated attacker could potentially steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious websites, modify content displayed to other users, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress installation. The reflected nature of the vulnerability means that the attack payload is delivered through a crafted URL that, when accessed by a victim, executes the malicious code in their browser. This creates a vector for social engineering attacks where victims might be tricked into clicking malicious links through phishing emails or other deceptive means.
From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability maps directly to CWE-79, which describes Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in web applications. The specific implementation flaw falls under the category of reflected XSS, where the malicious script is reflected off the web server rather than being stored on the server. The requirement for authentication to exploit this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts as a means of gaining access to systems. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where privileged accounts are at risk of compromise. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and output encoding practices, which are fundamental to preventing XSS attacks across web applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating the Woo Bulk Price Update plugin to version 2.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the reflected XSS flaw. Administrators should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unusual activity in the plugin's administrative functions and ensuring that user accounts maintain strong authentication practices. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regularly updating WordPress plugins and themes, as well as conducting security audits of third-party software. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to provide additional protection against XSS attacks, though this should complement rather than replace proper input sanitization. Regular security assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other parts of the WordPress ecosystem, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar threats.