CVE-2024-13641 in Return Refund and Exchange for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/14/2025
The Return Refund and Exchange For WooCommerce – Return Management System, RMA Exchange, Wallet And Cancel Order Features plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 4.4.5 via the 'attachment' directory. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive data stored insecurely in the /wp-content/attachment directory which can contain file attachments for order refunds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-13641 affects the Return Refund and Exchange For WooCommerce plugin, a widely used WordPress extension that provides return management capabilities including refund processing, exchange handling, and order cancellation features. This plugin serves as a critical component in e-commerce operations, managing customer service workflows and financial transactions within WooCommerce-powered online stores. The vulnerability resides in the plugin's handling of file attachments within the WordPress file system, specifically exposing the attachment directory structure to unauthorized access.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access controls within the plugin's file management system, allowing unauthenticated attackers to directly access the /wp-content/attachment directory without proper authentication or authorization checks. This directory typically contains sensitive customer data including order documentation, proof of purchase, refund attachments, and other confidential business information. The vulnerability exists across all versions up to and including 4.4.5, indicating a persistent flaw in the plugin's security architecture that has not been addressed in the affected releases. This represents a significant weakness in the plugin's security model, as it violates fundamental principles of access control and data protection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables attackers to extract potentially sensitive customer information including personal identification details, financial records, transaction histories, and other proprietary business data. The exposed attachments may contain customer addresses, payment information, product specifications, and internal communications related to order processing and customer service. This exposure creates substantial risk for e-commerce businesses, potentially leading to identity theft, financial fraud, regulatory violations, and loss of customer trust. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also entire business ecosystems that rely on the plugin's functionality for customer service operations and financial management.
Security practitioners should immediately implement mitigations including restricting access to the attachment directory through web server configuration, implementing proper authentication mechanisms, and ensuring that all plugin versions are updated to the latest secure releases. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure," and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege as outlined in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to block direct access to sensitive directories and conduct comprehensive security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through information disclosure, emphasizing the need for proper access controls and data protection measures across all system components.