CVE-2025-24596: WooCommerce Product Table Auth Bypass Flaw

CVE-2025-24596 Overview

CVE-2025-24596 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability affecting the WooCommerce Product Table Lite plugin for WordPress. This broken access control flaw allows attackers to exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels, potentially gaining unauthorized access to protected functionality within the plugin. The vulnerability stems from CWE-862 (Missing Authorization), where the plugin fails to properly verify user permissions before allowing access to sensitive operations.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can exploit this broken access control vulnerability to bypass security restrictions and access protected functionality within WooCommerce Product Table Lite, potentially compromising store data and administrative functions.

Affected Products

• WooCommerce Product Table Lite versions through 3.8.7
• WordPress installations running the vulnerable plugin (wc-product-table-lite)
• E-commerce sites using WC Product Table for product display functionality

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-01-24 - CVE-2025-24596 published to NVD
• 2025-02-11 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-24596

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability represents a broken access control flaw in the WooCommerce Product Table Lite WordPress plugin. The core issue lies in the plugin's failure to implement proper authorization checks before granting access to certain functionality. When authorization verification is missing, the application cannot distinguish between authenticated administrators and unauthorized users, effectively allowing anyone to perform privileged operations.

In the context of WordPress plugins, missing authorization typically occurs when AJAX handlers or REST API endpoints fail to verify user capabilities using functions like current_user_can() before processing requests. This allows unauthenticated or low-privileged users to execute actions intended only for administrators or shop managers.

Root Cause

The root cause is classified as CWE-862 (Missing Authorization). The WooCommerce Product Table Lite plugin does not properly enforce access controls on certain plugin functionality. Without explicit authorization checks, the application assumes all requests are legitimate, creating a security gap that attackers can exploit. This type of vulnerability commonly occurs when developers implement functionality without considering the security implications of who should be allowed to access specific features.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2025-24596 is network-based, requiring no user interaction and no prior authentication. An attacker can remotely target vulnerable WordPress installations by sending crafted requests to the affected plugin endpoints. The attack does not require any privileges, meaning completely unauthenticated users can exploit this vulnerability.

Exploitation typically involves identifying the vulnerable endpoints within the plugin and sending direct HTTP requests that bypass the intended access restrictions. Since the vulnerability allows exploiting incorrectly configured access control security levels, attackers may be able to access administrative functions, modify product table configurations, or potentially access sensitive store data depending on the specific missing authorization checks.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-24596

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected changes to WooCommerce Product Table Lite plugin settings or configurations
• Unusual HTTP requests to plugin-specific AJAX handlers or REST endpoints from unauthenticated sources
• Access log entries showing requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with plugin-specific action parameters from unknown IPs
• Modifications to product table displays or data without corresponding administrative actions

Detection Strategies

• Monitor WordPress access logs for requests to plugin endpoints from unauthenticated users
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting WordPress plugin endpoints
• Review plugin activity logs for unauthorized configuration changes
• Deploy file integrity monitoring to detect unexpected changes to plugin files

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for WordPress AJAX requests and REST API calls
• Configure alerts for authentication failures or authorization bypass attempts in security plugins
• Monitor for bulk or automated requests to WooCommerce-related endpoints
• Regularly audit user activity and configuration changes within the WordPress admin panel

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-24596

Immediate Actions Required

• Update WooCommerce Product Table Lite to a version newer than 3.8.7 immediately
• Review plugin settings and configurations for unauthorized changes
• Audit access logs for signs of exploitation attempts
• Consider temporarily disabling the plugin if an update is not yet available

Patch Information

Organizations using WooCommerce Product Table Lite should update to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Check the Patchstack Vulnerability Advisory for detailed patch information and updated version numbers. WordPress administrators should regularly check for plugin updates through the WordPress dashboard and apply security patches promptly.

Workarounds

• Implement IP-based access restrictions to the WordPress admin area and AJAX handlers
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules to block unauthorized access attempts
• Use WordPress security plugins to add additional authorization layers
• Restrict access to admin-ajax.php for critical operations until the plugin is updated

# WordPress .htaccess configuration to restrict AJAX access
# Add to your WordPress root .htaccess file

<Files admin-ajax.php>
    Order deny,allow
    Deny from all
    # Allow from trusted IP addresses
    Allow from 192.168.1.0/24
    # Allow WordPress admin requests
    Allow from env=REDIRECT_STATUS
</Files>