CVE-2024-4039 is a code injection vulnerability classified under CWE-94 in the Orders Tracking for WooCommerce plugin for WordPress. The flaw exists because the plugin improperly validates input before executing the WordPress do_shortcode function, which processes shortcodes embedded in content. This improper validation allows unauthenticated attackers to supply arbitrary shortcode content that the plugin will execute, leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the WordPress site. The vulnerability affects all plugin versions up to and including 1.2.10. A partial fix was introduced in version 1.2.10, but a complete patch was only released in version 1.2.11. The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5, reflecting its medium severity. The attack vector is network-based (remote), requires no privileges or user interaction, and impacts confidentiality and integrity but not availability. The plugin is used by WooCommerce stores to track orders, meaning exploitation could allow attackers to manipulate order data or inject malicious content, potentially leading to further compromise of the WordPress environment or customer data exposure. No public exploits have been reported yet, but the ease of exploitation and lack of authentication requirements make this a significant risk for affected sites.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-4039 is unauthorized code execution via shortcode injection, which can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of affected WordPress sites. Attackers can execute arbitrary shortcodes, potentially allowing them to manipulate order tracking data, inject malicious content, or escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. While availability is not directly impacted, the integrity of e-commerce operations could be undermined, leading to financial loss, reputational damage, and customer trust erosion. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, any WooCommerce site using vulnerable versions of the plugin is exposed to remote exploitation. This could facilitate further attacks such as data theft, website defacement, or pivoting to other internal systems. Organizations relying on WooCommerce for online sales are particularly at risk, especially those with high traffic or sensitive customer data. The absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat due to the vulnerability's straightforward exploitation path.

Organizations should immediately update the Orders Tracking for WooCommerce plugin to version 1.2.11 or later, which contains the complete patch for this vulnerability. Until the update can be applied, administrators should consider disabling the plugin or restricting access to its functionality via web application firewall (WAF) rules that block requests attempting to exploit shortcode execution. Monitoring web server logs for unusual shortcode-related requests can help detect attempted exploitation. Additionally, applying the principle of least privilege to WordPress user roles and limiting plugin installation and execution rights can reduce potential damage. Employing security plugins that detect and block malicious shortcode execution or code injection attempts is advisable. Regular backups and incident response plans should be in place to recover quickly if exploitation occurs. Finally, organizations should maintain an up-to-date inventory of WordPress plugins and promptly apply security updates to reduce exposure to similar vulnerabilities.