CVE-2023-51486 in WooCommerce PDF Invoice Builder Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/16/2024
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in RedNao WooCommerce PDF Invoice Builder.This issue affects WooCommerce PDF Invoice Builder: from n/a through 1.2.101.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
The Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-51486 resides within the RedNao WooCommerce PDF Invoice Builder plugin, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of web applications built on the WooCommerce platform. This vulnerability specifically impacts versions ranging from the initial release through 1.2.101, creating a window of exposure for countless e-commerce websites that rely on this plugin for invoice generation and management. The flaw manifests as a failure to properly validate and authenticate requests originating from external sources, allowing malicious actors to exploit the trust relationship between the user's browser and the targeted website.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's inadequate protection mechanisms against unauthorized requests that could be executed without the user's knowledge or consent. When a logged-in administrator or authorized user visits a malicious website or clicks on a crafted link, the vulnerable plugin fails to verify that the request originates from a legitimate source within the same session. This absence of proper anti-CSRF token validation creates an exploitable condition where attackers can manipulate the plugin's functionality through forged requests. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-352, which categorizes Cross-Site Request Forgery as a well-known weakness in web application security where the application fails to validate the source of requests, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.002 for the initial access phase, where adversaries leverage web application vulnerabilities to execute malicious actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially enabling attackers to perform administrative actions within the WooCommerce environment with the privileges of the authenticated user. An attacker could leverage this flaw to modify invoice settings, generate fraudulent invoices, alter customer data, or even execute destructive operations that compromise the integrity of the entire e-commerce platform. The consequences could include financial loss, data breaches, and reputational damage for businesses relying on the plugin for their invoicing processes. The vulnerability's exploitation could also serve as a stepping stone for more advanced attacks, as it provides a method for attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative functions that may lead to complete system compromise.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the RedNao WooCommerce PDF Invoice Builder plugin where the CSRF protections have been properly implemented. The recommended approach involves applying the vendor-provided security patches that introduce proper anti-CSRF token validation mechanisms, ensuring that all requests are authenticated and originate from legitimate sources within the same session. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious request patterns, while also monitoring for unauthorized modifications to the plugin's configuration or functionality. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential CSRF vulnerabilities within their WooCommerce ecosystem and ensure that all third-party plugins maintain proper security validation mechanisms.