CVE-2025-46244 in Advanced Linked Variations for Woocommerce Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/22/2025
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Dotstore Advanced Linked Variations for Woocommerce allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels. This issue affects Advanced Linked Variations for Woocommerce: from n/a through 1.0.3.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-46244 represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Dotstore Advanced Linked Variations plugin for WooCommerce platforms. This security weakness stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that fail to properly validate user permissions before granting access to sensitive administrative functions. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the plugin ranging from the initial release through version 1.0.3, creating a persistent risk for WooCommerce stores that rely on this extension for managing product variations. The flaw allows unauthorized users to potentially exploit administrative capabilities that should be restricted to authenticated administrators, fundamentally undermining the security model of the affected e-commerce platform. This type of vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and can lead to severe consequences including data manipulation, unauthorized product modifications, and potential compromise of the entire WooCommerce installation.
The technical implementation of this missing authorization vulnerability manifests through insufficient access control checks within the plugin's code structure. When users interact with the advanced linked variations functionality, the system fails to properly authenticate and authorize user requests before executing administrative operations. This misconfiguration creates an access control bypass scenario where malicious actors can exploit the lack of proper validation mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to features that should require administrator-level permissions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited through various attack vectors including direct API calls, parameter manipulation, or session hijacking techniques. The flaw essentially removes the necessary authorization checks that should occur before any modification or access to linked variation data, allowing users with minimal privileges to perform actions typically restricted to privileged administrators. This issue aligns with CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control and represents a classic example of insufficient authorization validation in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass potential data integrity compromise and business disruption for affected WooCommerce stores. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can manipulate product variations, modify linked product relationships, and potentially access sensitive customer data or administrative configurations. The consequences include unauthorized modification of product catalogs, which can lead to financial losses through price manipulation or inventory discrepancies. Additionally, the vulnerability can serve as a foothold for more extensive attacks, potentially allowing threat actors to escalate privileges and gain broader access to the underlying WordPress installation. The impact is particularly severe for online retailers where product data accuracy and integrity are paramount for business operations and customer trust. The vulnerability also creates potential compliance issues for businesses operating in regulated environments where proper access controls are mandatory for data protection requirements.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-46244 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the authorization flaw, as this represents the most direct and effective solution. Organizations should implement comprehensive access control monitoring and logging to detect any unauthorized attempts to exploit the vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional layers of protection by restricting access to administrative interfaces and limiting the attack surface. Regular security audits of installed plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar misconfigurations across the entire WordPress ecosystem. Implementation of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of updated plugin versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce compatibility issues with existing store configurations. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls and regular security training for administrators to prevent social engineering attacks that might exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, maintaining current backups and incident response procedures ensures rapid recovery if exploitation occurs despite preventive measures. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper access control implementation and highlights the need for continuous security assessment of third-party plugins in WordPress environments, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1078 which addresses valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to administrative functions.