CVE-2021-4379 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A detailed analysis of CVE-2021-4379, a vulnerability in the WooCommerce Multi Currency plugin for WordPress that could allow unauthorized changes to product prices.

Understanding CVE-2021-4379

This section covers what CVE-2021-4379 entails, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-4379?

The WooCommerce Multi Currency plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to an authorization bypass due to a missing capability check on the wmc_bulk_fixed_price function in versions up to, and including, 2.1.17. This flaw enables authenticated attackers with subscriber-level permissions and above to alter product prices.

The Impact of CVE-2021-4379

The vulnerability poses a medium risk with a CVSS base score of 6.5 out of 10. Attackers can manipulate product prices, potentially leading to financial loss or credibility damage for eCommerce businesses using the affected plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-4379

This section delves into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from a missing capability check in the WooCommerce Multi Currency plugin’s wmc_bulk_fixed_price function, allowing unauthorized price modifications.

Affected Systems and Versions

The issue impacts versions up to and including 2.1.17 of the WooCommerce Multi Currency plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting users with subscriber-level permissions and higher.

Exploitation Mechanism

Authorized attackers with the specified permissions can exploit this vulnerability to change product prices through the affected function.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, discover the immediate steps to address the vulnerability and long-term security practices to enhance protection.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users of the WooCommerce Multi Currency plugin should update to version 2.1.18 or newer, which contains a patch to address the authorization bypass vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring for unauthorized price changes is advisable.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement robust role-based access controls and regular security assessments to identify and rectify similar authorization flaws proactively. Educating staff on cybersecurity best practices can also boost overall defenses.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying patches and updates offered by plugin developers, alongside maintaining a secure configuration, is crucial for safeguarding WordPress websites against emerging threats and vulnerabilities.