CVE-2024-56230 in Dynamic Product Category Grid, Slider for WooCommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/31/2024
Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion') vulnerability in Dynamic Web Lab Dynamic Product Category Grid, Slider for WooCommerce allows PHP Local File Inclusion.This issue affects Dynamic Product Category Grid, Slider for WooCommerce: from n/a through 1.1.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-56230 represents a critical improper control of filename for include/require statement in PHP programs, commonly known as PHP Remote File Inclusion or Local File Inclusion. This flaw exists within the Dynamic Web Lab Dynamic Product Category Grid, Slider for WooCommerce plugin, which is a widely used e-commerce extension for WordPress platforms. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied input before using it in include or require statements, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The issue affects all versions of the plugin from the initial release through version 1.1.3, indicating a long-standing flaw that has not been adequately addressed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the plugin processes user input through GET or POST parameters that are directly used in PHP include or require functions without proper sanitization. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating input parameters to point to malicious files hosted on remote servers or local files on the target system. When the PHP interpreter encounters these unsanitized include statements, it executes the code from the specified files, potentially allowing remote code execution, local file inclusion, or server-side request forgery attacks. This vulnerability specifically impacts the plugin's functionality when handling dynamic content loading, particularly in product category grid and slider display components. The flaw aligns with CWE-98, which describes improper control of code generation, and represents a classic example of how insecure input handling can lead to severe remote code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with substantial control over affected systems. Successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the WordPress installation, allowing attackers to modify or delete content, steal sensitive data, install backdoors, or use the compromised server for further attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in e-commerce environments where the plugin is likely to be used on production servers handling sensitive customer information and transactional data. The exposure of this flaw in a widely-used WooCommerce plugin means that numerous websites are potentially at risk, with attackers able to target thousands of installations simultaneously through automated scanning tools. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability exists in a plugin that is designed to work with dynamic content, making it easier for attackers to craft successful exploitation payloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-56230 should begin with immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should also implement input validation and sanitization measures at the application level, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are properly validated before being used in include or require statements. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures by monitoring for suspicious patterns in HTTP requests that may indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of the principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting the file system access permissions of web applications to prevent unauthorized file inclusion. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime application self-protection measures and regular security scanning to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of allowing user-controlled data to influence code execution paths, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting weaknesses in web applications and T1059 for command and scripting interpreters. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the web application stack, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar classes of vulnerabilities.