CVE-2024-12435 in Compare Products for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/07/2025
The Compare Products for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘s_feature’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 3.2.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/15/2025
The Compare Products for WooCommerce plugin represents a popular extension within the WordPress ecosystem that enables users to create product comparison tables for e-commerce websites. This vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 3.2.1, making it a significant concern for WordPress administrators who have deployed this plugin. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically targeting the 's_feature' parameter that is used in the plugin's search functionality. The vulnerability exists because the plugin fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing it, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts that can be executed in the context of a victim's browser session.
The technical flaw manifests as a reflected cross-site scripting vulnerability that operates through the 's_feature' parameter, which is typically used in URL queries when users search for specific product features. When an attacker crafts a malicious URL containing script code within the s_feature parameter and convinces a victim to click on this link, the malicious script gets executed in the victim's browser when the page loads. This reflected nature means the malicious payload is not stored on the server but is instead reflected back to the user from the web application's response. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to escape output, specifically in the context of web applications that process user input without proper sanitization. This weakness allows attackers to bypass standard security measures that protect against persistent XSS attacks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter malicious links through social engineering or compromised websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it creates potential vectors for more sophisticated attacks that could compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites. Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring any prior access to the WordPress installation, making it particularly dangerous for public-facing e-commerce sites where users frequently interact with product comparison features. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be executed through social engineering tactics, such as sending malicious links through email or posting them on forums where users might click through. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 which describes social engineering through spearphishing, and T1584.001 which involves developing capabilities for initial access. The reflected nature of the attack means that it can be easily weaponized through automated tools that generate malicious links, potentially leading to widespread compromise if exploited at scale.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate remediation through plugin updates to versions that address the input sanitization issues, while also implementing additional protective measures. WordPress administrators should prioritize updating to the latest version of the Compare Products for WooCommerce plugin as soon as available, as this will contain the necessary patches to prevent the reflected XSS vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to limit script execution and reduce the potential impact of successful XSS attacks. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth, though they should not be considered a substitute for proper code-level fixes. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious URL patterns and unexpected script execution within user sessions. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and output escaping practices that align with OWASP Top Ten security recommendations, particularly those addressing injection vulnerabilities. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors, emphasizing the need for proper security testing throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such issues from reaching production environments.