CVE-2024-1308 in WooCommerce Cloak Affiliate Links Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/09/2024
The WooCommerce Cloak Affiliate Links plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the 'permalink_settings_save' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.33. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to modify the affiliate permalink base, driving traffic to malicious sites via the plugin's affiliate links.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1308 affects the WooCommerce Cloak Affiliate Links plugin for WordPress, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of affiliate marketing operations. This issue stems from a fundamental lack of access control validation within the plugin's codebase, specifically targeting the 'permalink_settings_save' function that handles affiliate permalink configuration. The flaw exists in all versions up to and including 1.0.33, making a substantial user base potentially vulnerable to exploitation. The absence of proper capability checks creates an unauthorized modification vector that directly compromises the plugin's core functionality and the trust associated with affiliate marketing systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through the omission of authentication and authorization verification within the permalink settings save functionality. When an attacker accesses the plugin's administrative endpoints without proper authentication, the system fails to verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to modify affiliate permalink configurations. This missing capability check creates a direct path for arbitrary data modification, allowing malicious actors to alter the affiliate permalink base setting. The vulnerability operates at the application level, exploiting weaknesses in WordPress plugin security architecture where proper access control mechanisms should be enforced before permitting any data modification operations. This flaw aligns with CWE-284, which describes insufficient access control vulnerabilities, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege in security design.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data modification, creating significant risks for both website administrators and end users who rely on affiliate marketing systems. Unauthenticated attackers can manipulate affiliate links to redirect traffic toward malicious domains, potentially leading to phishing attacks, malware distribution, or revenue theft through unauthorized affiliate commissions. The compromised permalink base setting allows attackers to inject malicious URLs into the affiliate network, enabling them to capture user data, redirect traffic for financial gain, or establish persistent attack vectors within the website's affiliate infrastructure. This vulnerability directly affects the trust model of affiliate marketing systems, where website owners rely on secure configurations to maintain their revenue streams and user safety. The impact is particularly severe for e-commerce sites that depend heavily on affiliate partnerships for revenue generation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-1308 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the missing capability check vulnerability. Administrators must ensure that all instances of the WooCommerce Cloak Affiliate Links plugin are updated to the latest stable release that includes proper authentication and authorization controls. Additionally, security monitoring should be implemented to detect unauthorized modifications to permalink settings, with regular audits of affiliate link configurations to identify potential tampering. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring for suspicious requests to administrative endpoints. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper security practices during plugin development, including comprehensive access control validation and adherence to WordPress security guidelines. Organizations should consider implementing role-based access controls and regular security assessments of third-party plugins to prevent similar issues in other components of their WordPress infrastructure. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security measures and proper access controls in WordPress environments, particularly for plugins handling sensitive data and financial transactions.