CVE-2023-47698 in Japanized for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Artisan Workshop Japanized For WooCommerce allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Japanized For WooCommerce: from n/a through 2.6.4.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The CVE-2023-47698 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Artisan Workshop Japanized For WooCommerce plugin, which is designed to extend WooCommerce functionality for Japanese market requirements. This security weakness stems from improperly configured access control mechanisms that fail to validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the plugin ranging from the initial release through version 2.6.4, creating a persistent security gap that could be exploited by unauthorized actors. The issue manifests when the plugin fails to properly verify whether a user possesses adequate privileges to perform specific administrative operations, effectively allowing attackers to bypass intended access restrictions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the CWE-863 category of Incorrect Authorization, where the system fails to properly enforce access control policies. This misconfiguration enables attackers to exploit the plugin's administrative interfaces without proper authentication or authorization, potentially gaining access to sensitive data, modifying store configurations, or executing arbitrary actions within the WooCommerce environment. The flaw likely exists in the plugin's permission checking routines where it fails to validate user roles or capabilities before allowing access to restricted functions. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform actions such as modifying product information, accessing customer data, changing payment settings, or manipulating order processing workflows that should only be available to authorized administrators.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-47698 extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates a persistent threat vector that could compromise the entire WooCommerce store infrastructure. This vulnerability allows attackers to potentially escalate their privileges within the system, leading to full administrative control over the e-commerce platform. The affected plugin's integration with WooCommerce's core functionality means that successful exploitation could result in data breaches, financial losses, reputation damage, and compliance violations. Organizations using the Japanized For WooCommerce plugin in version 2.6.4 or earlier face significant risk of unauthorized modifications to their online stores, potentially leading to service disruptions, customer data exposure, or fraudulent transactions that could affect their business operations and customer trust.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should begin with immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.6.5 or later, where the access control mechanisms have been properly implemented. System administrators should also implement additional monitoring of administrative access logs to detect suspicious activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that only authorized personnel have administrative access to the WooCommerce platform, with regular audits of user permissions and access controls. Organizations should also consider implementing network-level security controls such as web application firewalls to detect and block exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1078 Valid Accounts and T1546 Privilege Escalation techniques, emphasizing the need for robust account management and access control policies to prevent unauthorized system access and privilege elevation.