CVE-2024-1088 in Password Protected Store for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/05/2024
The Password Protected Store for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 2.2 via the REST API. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive data including post titles and content.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2026
The Password Protected Store for WooCommerce plugin presents a critical security vulnerability classified as sensitive information exposure affecting all versions up to and including 22. The flaw resides within the plugin's REST API implementation which fails to properly validate authentication requests. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to access protected content through the API endpoints that should require proper authorization. The exposure extends beyond simple access control to include the extraction of post titles and content, which represents a significant compromise of the store's sensitive data integrity. The vulnerability directly impacts the confidentiality and integrity of the WordPress site's content management system, particularly affecting e-commerce operations where product information and customer data may be at risk.
This security weakness manifests through improper access control mechanisms within the plugin's REST API framework, creating a pathway for attackers to bypass authentication requirements. The vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses inadequate access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 related to data from information repositories. The flaw enables attackers to perform unauthorized data extraction operations against the WordPress REST API endpoints, potentially exposing not only product information but also other sensitive content that should remain protected within the password-protected store environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data exposure to include potential downstream consequences for business operations and customer trust. Attackers can harvest product information, pricing details, and content that would normally be restricted to authorized users, potentially enabling competitive intelligence gathering or facilitating further attacks. The vulnerability affects the fundamental security model of the password-protected store functionality, undermining the trust model that users place in the plugin's access control mechanisms. Organizations relying on this plugin for their e-commerce operations face risks of intellectual property theft, competitive disadvantage, and potential regulatory compliance violations.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to the latest available version which addresses the authentication bypass vulnerability. System administrators must ensure that all WordPress installations using this plugin are updated promptly to prevent exploitation. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-level access controls to restrict API endpoint access, monitoring API traffic for unusual patterns, and conducting regular security audits of plugin configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block unauthorized API access attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and conducting regular security assessments of third-party plugins, particularly those handling sensitive data in e-commerce environments. Regular penetration testing and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar access control flaws in other system components.