CVE-2023-35879 in WooCommerce Product Vendors Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2023
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in WooCommerce Product Vendors allows SQL Injection.This issue affects Product Vendors: from n/a through 2.1.78.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-35879 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the WooCommerce Product Vendors plugin, specifically impacting versions ranging from an unspecified starting point through version 2.1.78. This weakness resides in the improper neutralization of special elements within SQL commands, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through crafted input parameters. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, particularly when processing user-supplied data that gets directly incorporated into SQL statements without adequate escaping or parameterization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the WooCommerce Product Vendors plugin fails to properly sanitize user inputs before executing database operations. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious payloads through various input fields that are processed by the plugin's SQL query construction logic. The flaw manifests when special SQL characters or sequences are not appropriately escaped or filtered, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute with the privileges of the database user account associated with the WordPress installation. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-89, which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses in software applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, unauthorized data modification, privilege escalation, and potential system compromise. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive customer information, manipulate product catalogs, modify vendor configurations, or even gain administrative access to the WordPress site. The vulnerability's presence in the WooCommerce Product Vendors plugin creates a particularly concerning attack surface since this plugin typically handles sensitive commercial data including vendor information, product listings, and transaction details. The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004, which covers application layer protocol manipulation, and T1566.001, covering spearphishing through social engineering.
Organizations using affected versions of WooCommerce Product Vendors should prioritize immediate remediation through the latest available plugin updates, which should include proper input sanitization and parameterized query implementations. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for unusual database activity patterns and consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a SQL injection issue necessitates adherence to secure coding practices including the use of prepared statements, input validation, and least privilege database access controls. Additionally, regular security audits of WordPress plugins and core systems should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist within the broader application ecosystem.