Customer Reviews for WooCommerce Vulnerability – Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via ‘s’ – CVE-2024-3731 | WordPress Plugin Vulnerability Report
Plugin Name: Customer Reviews for WooCommerce
Key Information:
- Software Type: Plugin
- Software Slug: customer-reviews-woocommerce
- Software Status: Active
- Software Author: ivole
- Software Downloads: 4,233,598
- Active Installs: 60,000
- Last Updated: May 2, 2024
- Patched Versions: 5.48.0
- Affected Versions: <= 5.47.0
Vulnerability Details:
- Name: Customer Reviews for WooCommerce <= 5.47.0
- Title: Reflected Cross-Site Scripting via 's'
- Type: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
- CVE: CVE-2024-3731
- CVSS Score: 6.1
- Publicly Published: April 18, 2024
- Researcher: Krzysztof Zając - CERT PL
- Description: The Customer Reviews for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) in all versions up to and including 5.47.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute if they can successfully trick a user into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
Summary:
The Customer Reviews for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability in versions up to and including 5.47.0 that allows unauthenticated users to exploit reflected XSS via the 's' parameter. This vulnerability has been patched in version 5.48.0.
Detailed Overview:
Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a security flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into a web page which are then reflected back to the user and executed. In the case of the Customer Reviews for WooCommerce plugin, the vulnerability was found in the handling of the 's' parameter, where user input was not adequately sanitized. This type of vulnerability could lead to stealing cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from users and potentially redirecting them to malicious websites. The patch in version 5.48.0 addresses this by adding necessary input validations and encoding mechanisms to prevent such attacks.
Advice for Users:
- Immediate Action: Update to version 5.48.0 immediately to protect against this vulnerability.
- Check for Signs of Vulnerability: Users should monitor their website logs for any unusual activity that could indicate an attempt to exploit this vulnerability.
- Alternate Plugins: Consider evaluating alternative review plugins that have a strong security track record as a precautionary measure.
- Stay Updated: Consistently update all WordPress plugins to their latest versions to safeguard against known vulnerabilities.
Conclusion:
The quick response from the developers of Customer Reviews for WooCommerce in releasing a patch for this XSS vulnerability highlights the critical importance of timely updates. Users of this plugin are strongly advised to update to version 5.48.0 or later to secure their WordPress installations effectively. Keeping your software updated is a key step in protecting your online presence from emerging threats.
References:
- Wordfence Vulnerability Report on Customer Reviews for WooCommerce
- Additional Wordfence Details on Customer Reviews for WooCommerce Vulnerabilities
Detailed Report:
In the digital ecosystem where business operations are heavily reliant on technology, the security of e-commerce platforms is paramount. The recent discovery of a vulnerability in the widely-used "Customer Reviews for WooCommerce" plugin serves as a stark reminder of this critical aspect. Identified as CVE-2024-3731, this flaw exposes websites to reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks through a parameter that was insufficiently sanitized, posing significant risks to both site integrity and user privacy.
Detailed Overview:
Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a security flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into a web page which are then reflected back to the user and executed. This type of vulnerability could lead to stealing cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information from users and potentially redirecting them to malicious websites. The vulnerability in the "Customer Reviews for WooCommerce" plugin was particularly concerning because it could be triggered by any user interaction, such as clicking a link that contains the malicious script.
Risks and Potential Impacts:
The exploitation of this XSS vulnerability could lead to significant security breaches, including unauthorized access, data theft, and manipulation of web page content. These actions could damage a business's reputation, erode customer trust, and result in financial losses due to fraud or compliance penalties.
Previous Vulnerabilities:
The "Customer Reviews for WooCommerce" plugin has had 14 documented vulnerabilities since September 22, 2022. This history underscores the importance of continuous vigilance and regular updates.
Conclusion:
The quick response from the developers of "Customer Reviews for WooCommerce" in releasing a patch for this XSS vulnerability highlights the critical importance of timely updates. Users of this plugin are strongly advised to update to version 5.48.0 or later to secure their WordPress installations effectively. For small business owners, particularly those without the technical expertise to manage complex IT infrastructures, considering managed WordPress hosting solutions with proactive security measures can be a worthwhile investment. These services can handle security updates, daily backups, and active monitoring, significantly reducing the burden on business owners and ensuring that their e-commerce platforms remain secure and trustworthy.