CVE-2023-2894 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_bulk_deactivate_product function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to bulk deactivate 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 • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2023-2894 affects the WP EasyCart plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 5.4.8. This represents a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of e-commerce operations by exploiting a fundamental weakness in the plugin's request validation mechanisms. The vulnerability resides within the process_bulk_deactivate_product function which fails to properly validate nonce tokens, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate product status without proper authorization. The implications extend beyond simple data manipulation as this flaw directly impacts the operational continuity and security posture of online stores relying on this plugin.
The technical exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability occurs through the absence of proper nonce validation within the affected function. Nonce validation serves as a cryptographic token that ensures requests originate from legitimate sources within the WordPress ecosystem. When this validation is missing or incorrectly implemented, attackers can construct forged HTTP requests that appear to come from authenticated administrators. The attack vector typically involves tricking administrators into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable plugin endpoint. This method relies on social engineering techniques and demonstrates how seemingly minor implementation oversights can create significant security risks in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple product deactivation, as it represents a potential gateway for more extensive system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate product availability, potentially causing revenue loss through unauthorized product removal from online stores. The vulnerability also creates opportunities for broader system disruption, as product deactivation can affect inventory management systems, customer experience, and business operations. From a security perspective, this flaw undermines the trust model of WordPress plugins and demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and authentication mechanisms in web applications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications, and reflects patterns commonly seen in the ATT&CK framework under the initial access and persistence phases where attackers establish footholds through application-level vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected site administrators, including prompt plugin updates to versions that address the nonce validation issue. The recommended approach involves implementing proper nonce validation mechanisms within the process_bulk_deactivate_product function, ensuring that all administrative actions require valid cryptographic tokens before execution. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing additional security measures such as role-based access controls, regular security audits, and monitoring for suspicious administrative activities. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of maintaining updated WordPress plugins and following security best practices, including regular vulnerability assessments and adherence to the principle of least privilege. Organizations should conduct comprehensive security reviews of all installed plugins and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and prevent similar CSRF attacks. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that updated versions maintain full functionality while addressing the identified security weakness, as proper validation mechanisms are essential for maintaining the integrity of e-commerce platforms and protecting against unauthorized modifications to critical business data.