CVE-2024-12160 is a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the Seraphinite Bulk Discounts for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 2.4.6. The root cause is the improper neutralization of user-supplied input during web page generation, specifically due to the use of the WordPress add_query_arg function without appropriate escaping or sanitization of URL parameters. This allows an unauthenticated attacker to craft malicious URLs containing arbitrary JavaScript code. When a victim clicks such a link, the injected script executes in the context of the victim's browser session, potentially leading to theft of cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive information, as well as manipulation of the displayed content. The vulnerability does not require authentication but does require user interaction (clicking a malicious link). The CVSS 3.1 base score is 6.1, reflecting a medium severity with network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and impacts on confidentiality and integrity but no impact on availability. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the vulnerability is publicly disclosed and documented by Wordfence and the CVE database. This vulnerability is particularly relevant for WooCommerce stores using this plugin, which is a popular e-commerce platform on WordPress. The lack of a patch link suggests that a fix may not yet be available, increasing the urgency for mitigation.

The primary impact of this vulnerability is on the confidentiality and integrity of affected web applications and their users. Successful exploitation can lead to theft of sensitive user information such as authentication cookies, personal data, or payment information, enabling session hijacking or account compromise. Attackers may also manipulate the content displayed to users, potentially defacing the site or conducting phishing attacks. While availability is not directly affected, the reputational damage and loss of customer trust can be significant for e-commerce businesses. Given the widespread use of WooCommerce and the plugin, many online stores globally could be targeted, especially those that have not updated or mitigated the vulnerability. The requirement for user interaction means social engineering is necessary, but the lack of authentication barriers lowers the exploitation threshold. This vulnerability could be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns targeting online retailers, especially during high-traffic periods such as holidays or sales events.

1. Monitor for an official patch or update from SeraphiniteSoft and apply it immediately once available. 2. Until a patch is released, implement manual input validation and output escaping for all URL parameters processed by the plugin, especially those handled by add_query_arg. 3. Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules to detect and block reflected XSS attack patterns targeting the affected plugin. 4. Educate users and staff about the risks of clicking unsolicited or suspicious links, especially those purporting to be related to discounts or promotions. 5. Regularly audit and review installed WordPress plugins for vulnerabilities and remove or replace those that are unmaintained or insecure. 6. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of unauthorized scripts in the browser context. 7. Enable security plugins that can detect and block XSS attempts and monitor logs for suspicious activity. 8. Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability scanning focused on XSS vectors in the WooCommerce environment.