Security flaws in WordPress plugins are a frequent attack target, but sometimes a single mistake in how a plugin checks user authorization can become disastrous. CVE-2023-30870 in the plugin “Sharkdropship for AliExpress Dropship and Affiliate” is a clear example: this issue lets unauthorized users perform sensitive operations, putting hundreds of stores at risk.

If you use Sharkdropship, read on — I’ll break down the bug, how attackers can use it, and how to stay safe, with real code and references.

What is Sharkdropship?

Sharkdropship for AliExpress Dropship and Affiliate is a WordPress plugin that makes it easy to import products from AliExpress to WooCommerce. Store owners love it because it speeds up product imports and even manages orders with one click.

But until version 2.2.3, it had a serious hole.

What’s CVE-2023-30870?

- CVE ID: CVE-2023-30870

Type: Missing Authorization Check (Broken Access Control)

- Impact: Any unauthenticated user can execute privileged actions normally reserved for admins.

The Vulnerability

The plugin offered certain functions (called via AJAX in WordPress) that lacked authentication or proper capability checks. This means anyone could send a specially crafted HTTP request and perform actions like importing products — even if they were not logged in!

Code Breakdown

In WordPress plugins, AJAX requests are handled by functions added with add_action('wp_ajax_NAME', ...) (for logged-in users) and add_action('wp_ajax_nopriv_NAME', ...) (for anyone — even visitors).

Good plugins check for capability, like

if ( ! current_user_can( 'manage_options' ) ) {
    wp_send_json_error( 'Unauthorized', 401 );
}

But Sharkdropship version 2.2.3 did not/correctly.

Example Vulnerable Code (Simplified for Learning)

add_action('wp_ajax_nopriv_sharkdropship_import', 'sharkdropship_ajax_import_product');
function sharkdropship_ajax_import_product() {
    // NO AUTHORIZATION CHECK!
    $product_url = $_POST['product_url'];
    // Import product code...
}

Result

Anyone who knows or guesses the action name can call the endpoint and trigger dangerous product imports or updates.

Example Exploit: Importing a Product

curl -X POST \
     -d "action=sharkdropship_import&product_url=https://aliexpress.com/item/1234"; \
     https://victim-shop.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php

product_url is any product the attacker wants to import or inject.

What happens?
The plugin treats this unauthenticated request as a valid command and processes it. In some cases, depending on implementation, an attacker may also be able to overwrite existing products, inject spam goods, or collect sensitive responses.

Unauthenticated Attack Vector: It doesn’t require any login.

- Impact: Unauthorized product imports, spam, inventory manipulation, potentially more (if there are other weak endpoints).
- Affected Sites: Any WordPress site using Sharkdropship 2.2.3 or earlier, with admin-ajax.php publicly accessible (default).

Further Compromise: If attacker can upload files as a product, risk of remote code execution.

- Brand Damage & Legal Trouble: Spam in your shop can destroy customer trust or expose confidential supplier deals.

References

- Wordfence Advisory
- NVD Entry: CVE-2023-30870
- Plugin Homepage

How Do I Secure My Store?

1. Update Immediately
The Sharkdropship team has released updates. Update to the latest version above 2.2.3.

2. Check Your Products
Scan WooCommerce for unexpected products or changes. If you see anything unfamiliar, remove it and recheck your site’s users.

3. Monitor Access Logs

Look for POST requests to

/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=sharkdropship_import

especially those from unknown or foreign IPs.

4. Security Plugins
Install/activate security plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to alert on suspicious behavior.

5. Remove Unused Plugins
If you don’t use Sharkdropship, delete it completely (not just deactivate).

Conclusion

CVE-2023-30870 is a serious, easy-to-exploit vulnerability that shows how dangerous authorization mistakes can be in WordPress plugins. Always test plugin privilege checks, audit who can access sensitive functions, and keep plugins updated.

If you run a WooCommerce dropshipping site, check for Sharkdropship at once. Don’t let your shop become a hacker’s playground.


Stay safe, stay updated. Want more deep dives like this? Bookmark us and keep your WooCommerce business secure!

Timeline

Published on: 12/09/2024 13:15:28 UTC