CVE-2023-4938 in BEAR Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The BEAR for WordPress is vulnerable to Missing Authorization in versions up to, and including, 1.1.3.3. This is due to a missing capability check on the woobe_bulkoperations_apply_default_combination function. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers (subscriber or higher) to manipulate products.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The BEAR for WordPress plugin presents a critical authorization vulnerability that affects versions through 1.1.3.3, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to manipulate product data within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability stems from insufficient capability validation within the woobe_bulkoperations_apply_default_combination function, which fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses adequate permissions to perform the targeted operations. The flaw specifically impacts the plugin's bulk product management functionality, where users with subscriber-level privileges or higher can exploit this weakness to execute unauthorized product modifications. This represents a significant security gap in the plugin's access control mechanisms, as it allows users who should not have administrative capabilities to perform actions that typically require higher privilege levels. The vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege, where users should only have access to functions necessary for their role within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exposes a fundamental flaw in the plugin's permission architecture, where the woobe_bulkoperations_apply_default_combination function does not perform proper capability checks before executing product manipulation operations. Attackers with subscriber-level access can leverage this function to apply default combinations to products without proper authorization, potentially leading to data corruption, unauthorized modifications, or manipulation of product attributes that could affect e-commerce operations. This issue falls under CWE-863, which addresses improper authorization scenarios where a system fails to verify that an actor is authorized to perform a requested action. The vulnerability enables privilege escalation within the plugin's scope, allowing lower-privileged users to access functionality typically restricted to administrators or editors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it creates potential risks for e-commerce platforms that rely on the BEAR plugin for product management. Attackers could manipulate product prices, inventory levels, descriptions, or other critical attributes, potentially causing financial loss or reputational damage to businesses. The vulnerability affects the integrity and availability of product data, as unauthorized modifications could lead to inconsistent product information or system instability. In a typical WordPress environment, this flaw could enable attackers to cause significant disruption to online stores, particularly if they can leverage the bulk operations to make widespread changes across multiple products simultaneously. The impact is amplified in environments where the plugin is used for complex product catalogs with numerous attributes and variations.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper capability checks within the affected function, ensuring that only users with appropriate permissions can execute bulk product operations. Plugin developers should enforce strict access controls and validate user capabilities before allowing any administrative function to proceed. Organizations using this plugin should immediately update to versions that address the authorization flaw, as well as implement monitoring for unauthorized bulk operations within their WordPress environments. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts with elevated privileges, as it allows users to perform actions that should require elevated access levels. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins should include verification of access control mechanisms and capability checks to prevent similar issues from persisting in the plugin ecosystem.