CVE-2024-39657 in Sender Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/27/2024
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in Sender Sender – Newsletter, SMS and Email Marketing Automation for WooCommerce.This issue affects Sender – Newsletter, SMS and Email Marketing Automation for WooCommerce: from n/a through 2.6.18.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/12/2025
The Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-39657 resides within the Sender plugin for WooCommerce, specifically impacting versions ranging from the initial release through 2.6.18. This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the plugin's security architecture that allows malicious actors to execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to implement proper anti-CSRF mechanisms when processing administrative requests, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate the WordPress administration interface without user consent.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of anti-CSRF tokens in critical administrative endpoints within the Sender plugin. When administrators perform actions such as configuring email settings, managing newsletter templates, or modifying marketing automation parameters, the plugin fails to validate that these requests originate from legitimate sources within the same session. This omission creates a scenario where an attacker can craft malicious web pages or exploit existing vulnerabilities in other parts of the website to trigger administrative actions without the knowledge or consent of the legitimate user. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the WordPress admin interface, making it particularly dangerous within e-commerce environments where administrative privileges are frequently used.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to encompass potential complete compromise of the affected WooCommerce installation. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to modify email marketing configurations, alter subscriber lists, change delivery settings, or even disable critical marketing automation features. In a worst-case scenario, successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized email sending capabilities being activated, potentially enabling spam campaigns or phishing attacks that leverage the legitimate store's reputation. The vulnerability particularly affects businesses relying on the plugin for their email marketing operations, as it could result in unauthorized modifications to customer communication strategies and potential data exfiltration through compromised email configurations.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE-352 framework, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery conditions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under T1566.002 - Phishing: Email, as attackers could potentially use this vulnerability to manipulate email marketing settings and create more convincing phishing campaigns. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with the principle of least privilege violations, as it allows attackers to perform administrative actions without proper authentication mechanisms. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, with the recommended remediation being the upgrade to version 2.6.19 or later where the CSRF protection mechanisms have been properly implemented.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of additional security controls such as network-based firewalls, web application firewalls, and monitoring systems that can detect anomalous administrative activity patterns. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper session management practices can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their WooCommerce installations to identify other potential CSRF vulnerabilities in third-party plugins. Regular security scanning and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to maintain ongoing protection against similar issues. The remediation process requires careful attention to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing email marketing workflows or automation configurations within the WooCommerce environment.