CVE-2023-4940 in BEAR Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The BEAR for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 1.1.3.3. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the woobe_bulkoperations_swap function. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to manipulate products via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The BEAR for WordPress plugin presents a critical cross-site request forgery vulnerability that affects versions through 1.1.3.3, creating a significant security risk for WordPress sites utilizing this plugin. This vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the woobe_bulkoperations_swap function, which is designed to handle bulk product operations within the plugin's administrative interface. The absence of proper nonce validation creates an exploitable condition that allows attackers to craft malicious requests that can be executed without the administrator's knowledge or consent.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to implement proper cryptographic token verification for administrative actions. Nonces serve as one-time tokens that ensure requests originate from legitimate sources within the WordPress ecosystem, but the BEAR plugin neglects to validate these tokens when processing bulk operations. This oversight creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate product data through forged requests, potentially leading to unauthorized changes in product attributes, pricing, inventory levels, or other critical product information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation as it enables attackers to perform administrative actions that could severely compromise e-commerce operations. Unauthenticated attackers who can successfully trick administrators into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites can execute unauthorized product modifications, potentially leading to financial losses, inventory discrepancies, and damage to customer trust. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction from the administrator, making it difficult to detect and prevent through simple user awareness measures alone.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for data manipulation through web application interfaces. The attack vector typically involves social engineering tactics where administrators are tricked into clicking malicious links, often through phishing emails or compromised websites. Organizations should immediately update to patched versions of the BEAR plugin, implement additional security measures such as role-based access controls, and conduct security awareness training for administrators to recognize potential phishing attempts. Network monitoring should also be enhanced to detect unusual administrative activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.