CVE-2024-12395 identifies a reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WooCommerce Additional Fees On Checkout (Free) plugin for WordPress, versions up to and including 1.4.7. The vulnerability stems from improper neutralization of user-supplied input in the 'number' parameter during web page generation, specifically insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This allows an unauthenticated attacker to craft malicious URLs containing JavaScript payloads that, when clicked by a victim, execute in the context of the victim's browser session. The attack vector is network-based, requiring no privileges but necessitating user interaction. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality and integrity by enabling theft of sensitive data such as session cookies or performing unauthorized actions on behalf of the user. The scope is limited to sites using this specific WooCommerce plugin, which is a popular e-commerce extension for WordPress. No patches are currently linked, and no known exploits have been observed in the wild, but the risk remains significant due to the widespread use of WooCommerce plugins. The CVSS v3.1 score of 6.1 reflects medium severity, with a vector indicating network attack, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and a scope change due to potential impact on user sessions. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79, a common and well-understood XSS weakness. Organizations running WooCommerce with this plugin should monitor for updates and consider interim mitigations such as input validation, output encoding, and web application firewall rules.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-12395 is the compromise of user confidentiality and integrity on affected e-commerce websites. Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in the context of a victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, theft of personal or payment information, and unauthorized actions such as changing user settings or placing fraudulent orders. While availability is not directly affected, the reputational damage and loss of customer trust can have significant business consequences. For organizations worldwide, especially those relying on WooCommerce for online sales, this vulnerability increases the risk of targeted phishing campaigns and automated attacks exploiting the reflected XSS flaw. The requirement for user interaction somewhat limits mass exploitation but does not eliminate risk, particularly in phishing-prone environments. The vulnerability could also be leveraged as a stepping stone for more complex attacks, including privilege escalation or persistent XSS if combined with other flaws. Overall, the threat undermines the security posture of e-commerce platforms, potentially leading to financial losses and regulatory compliance issues related to data protection.

To mitigate CVE-2024-12395, organizations should first monitor the plugin vendor's channels for an official patch and apply it promptly once available. Until a patch is released, administrators can implement several practical measures: 1) Employ a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with rules specifically designed to detect and block reflected XSS payloads targeting the 'number' parameter or similar inputs. 2) Use Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict the execution of inline scripts and reduce the impact of injected scripts. 3) Conduct manual code reviews or apply custom input validation and output encoding in the plugin's codebase if feasible, sanitizing the 'number' parameter to allow only expected numeric input. 4) Educate users and staff about the risks of clicking suspicious links, especially those received via email or social media. 5) Regularly audit and monitor web server logs for unusual query parameters or repeated attempts to exploit XSS vectors. 6) Consider disabling or replacing the vulnerable plugin with alternative solutions that follow secure coding practices. These steps, combined, reduce the attack surface and limit the potential for successful exploitation.