CVE-2023-2891 in WP EasyCart Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/09/2023
The WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 5.4.8. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the process_delete_product function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to delete products via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2023
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-2891 affects the WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 5.4.8, presenting a significant security risk through Cross-Site Request Forgery exploitation. This weakness stems from inadequate validation mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, particularly in the process_delete_product function where nonce validation is either absent or improperly implemented. The vulnerability creates a dangerous condition where unauthenticated attackers can manipulate the system to delete products through forged requests, essentially enabling unauthorized modification of e-commerce content without proper authentication or authorization. This type of vulnerability represents a critical failure in the plugin's security architecture and demonstrates poor adherence to fundamental web application security principles.
The technical flaw manifests in the absence of proper nonce validation during the product deletion process, which violates established security protocols designed to prevent CSRF attacks. Nonces serve as critical security tokens that verify the authenticity of user requests and ensure that actions are performed intentionally by authorized users. When these validation mechanisms are missing or compromised, attackers can craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress system. The vulnerability specifically targets the process_delete_product function, indicating that the plugin's developers failed to implement proper request verification before executing destructive operations. This flaw directly relates to CWE-352, which categorizes Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities as those that allow attackers to perform actions on behalf of authenticated users without their knowledge or consent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data loss, as it compromises the integrity and availability of e-commerce operations within WordPress environments. Site administrators who fall victim to such attacks could experience unauthorized deletion of product listings, potentially resulting in revenue loss, inventory discrepancies, and disruption of business operations. The attack vector requires social engineering elements where administrators must be tricked into clicking malicious links, but once successful, the consequences are immediate and potentially devastating. This vulnerability affects not only the individual products but also the overall trustworthiness of the e-commerce platform, as unauthorized modifications can lead to customer confusion and potential security breaches. The impact is particularly severe in environments where administrators frequently interact with external links or where security awareness training may be lacking.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security improvements. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of the WP EasyCart plugin where proper nonce validation has been implemented and verified. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious CSRF patterns, regular security audits of installed plugins, and comprehensive staff training on recognizing social engineering attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following ATT&CK framework principles for defensive measures, particularly in mitigating privilege escalation and persistence tactics that attackers might employ through such vulnerabilities. Regular monitoring of plugin updates, maintaining comprehensive backup systems, and implementing principle of least privilege access controls can significantly reduce the risk exposure associated with this type of vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing Content Security Policy headers and other browser-based protections to add additional layers of defense against CSRF attacks.