CVE-2020-29156 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

The WooCommerce plugin before 4.7.0 for WordPress allows remote attackers to view the status of arbitrary orders via the order_id parameter in a fetch_order_status action.

Understanding CVE-2020-29156

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the WooCommerce plugin for WordPress that could be exploited by remote attackers.

What is CVE-2020-29156?

The WooCommerce plugin before version 4.7.0 for WordPress is susceptible to a security issue that enables unauthorized individuals to access the status of any order using a specific parameter.

The Impact of CVE-2020-29156

This vulnerability could lead to a breach of privacy and confidentiality as attackers can view order statuses without proper authorization.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-29156

The technical aspects of this CVE are as follows:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows remote attackers to access order status information through the order_id parameter in a fetch_order_status action.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: WooCommerce plugin
Vendor: WordPress
Versions affected: Before 4.7.0

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers exploit the order_id parameter in the fetch_order_status action to retrieve order status information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2020-29156, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WooCommerce to version 4.7.0 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor orders and account activities for any suspicious behavior.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update plugins and software to the latest versions.
Implement access controls and authentication mechanisms to restrict unauthorized access.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates for the WooCommerce plugin.
Apply patches promptly to ensure the security of your WordPress site.