CVE-2023-3162 in Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerc Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/31/2023
The Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authentication bypass in versions up to, and including, 3.7.7. This is due to insufficient verification on the user being supplied during a Stripe checkout through the plugin. This allows unauthenticated attackers to log in as users who have orders, who are typically customers.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-3162 affects the Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerce, a widely used WordPress plugin that integrates Stripe payment processing capabilities with WooCommerce e-commerce functionality. This authentication bypass vulnerability exists in versions up to and including 3.7.7, creating a significant security risk for WordPress sites utilizing this payment processing solution. The flaw specifically targets the plugin's handling of user authentication during Stripe checkout processes, undermining the fundamental security mechanisms that should protect user sessions and prevent unauthorized access to customer accounts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user credentials during the checkout flow within the Stripe payment plugin. When customers proceed through the payment process, the plugin fails to properly verify the authenticity of user information being passed through the system. This weakness allows malicious actors to manipulate the authentication flow and potentially impersonate legitimate customers who have placed orders. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor that bypasses normal WordPress authentication procedures, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to customer accounts and their associated order histories. According to CWE classification, this represents a weakness in authentication mechanisms where insufficient verification leads to unauthorized access, specifically categorized under CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to customer accounts. Attackers can leverage this authentication bypass to view sensitive customer information including order details, personal data, and potentially payment information associated with customer accounts. This creates significant risk for both businesses and their customers, as it compromises the privacy and security of customer transactions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets users who have existing orders, meaning that attackers don't need to create new accounts or perform complex reconnaissance. This makes the attack surface more accessible and increases the likelihood of successful exploitation. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials for unauthorized access, making it easier for threat actors to maintain persistence and conduct further malicious activities.
Organizations using this vulnerable plugin should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest version of the Stripe Payment Plugin for WooCommerce where the authentication bypass has been addressed. The patch should include proper validation of user credentials and enhanced session management during checkout processes. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any potential exploitation attempts and implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual authentication patterns. Security measures should also include regular vulnerability scanning, implementation of web application firewalls, and enforcement of strong access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and establishing incident response procedures to quickly address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and proper code review processes for third-party plugins that handle sensitive customer data and financial transactions.