CVE-2023-47839 in eCommerce Product Catalog Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2023
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in impleCode eCommerce Product Catalog Plugin for WordPress plugin <= 3.3.26 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2023
The CVE-2023-47839 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the impleCode eCommerce Product Catalog Plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions up to and including 3.3.26. This vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of user input during web page generation processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into web pages viewed by other users. The issue stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of input parameters that are subsequently rendered in web content without proper neutralization mechanisms. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in e-commerce environments where user-generated content and product catalog data are frequently processed and displayed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability allows attackers to exploit the plugin's failure to properly escape or filter user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamically generated web pages. When users browse product catalogs or interact with the plugin's features, malicious scripts embedded in input fields, product descriptions, or other user-controllable parameters can be executed in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the plugin does not adequately apply output encoding or sanitization techniques to prevent script execution in web contexts. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the plugin processes parameters that are then used in HTML generation, creating an environment where attacker-controlled content can be interpreted as executable code rather than plain text. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which defines improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a primary cause of cross-site scripting vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-47839 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. In an e-commerce context, this vulnerability could enable attackers to steal customer session cookies, redirect users to phishing sites, or manipulate product information displayed to customers. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that the plugin is designed to handle product catalog data, which often includes rich text descriptions, user reviews, and other interactive content that frequently contains user input. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged to perform account takeovers, manipulate shopping cart contents, or compromise the integrity of product information displayed to customers, directly impacting both business operations and customer trust.
Organizations utilizing the impleCode eCommerce Product Catalog Plugin should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version where the vulnerability has been patched, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious script injection attempts, and conducting thorough input validation on all user-controllable data. Security measures should include comprehensive output encoding of all user-supplied content, implementation of content security policies to prevent script execution, and regular security auditing of plugin configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly focusing on preventing injection attacks and ensuring proper input validation. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual script execution patterns and maintain up-to-date threat intelligence to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.