The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-7257 affects the YayExtra – WooCommerce Extra Product Options plugin for WordPress, which is widely used to extend product option capabilities in WooCommerce-based e-commerce sites. The root cause is the lack of proper file type validation in the handle_upload_file function, allowing attackers to upload arbitrary files without any authentication or user interaction. This unrestricted file upload vulnerability falls under CWE-434, which is known to facilitate remote code execution (RCE) if malicious files such as web shells or scripts are uploaded and executed on the server. The affected versions include all versions up to and including 1.3.7, meaning no fixed version is currently available as per the provided data. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of the vulnerability, with attack vector being network-based (AV:N), no privileges required (PR:N), no user interaction (UI:N), and full impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability (C:H/I:H/A:H). Exploitation could allow attackers to gain full control over the web server hosting the WordPress site, leading to data breaches, site defacement, or pivoting to internal networks. Although no known exploits in the wild have been reported yet, the ease of exploitation and critical impact make this a high-priority issue for all sites using this plugin. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating and restricting file uploads in web applications, especially in plugins that extend e-commerce functionality.

The impact of CVE-2024-7257 is severe for organizations running WordPress sites with the YayExtra plugin installed. Successful exploitation can lead to remote code execution, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the server. This can result in complete system compromise, including theft or destruction of sensitive customer data, insertion of malicious content, ransomware deployment, or use of the compromised server as a pivot point for further attacks within the network. E-commerce sites are particularly at risk due to the potential exposure of payment and personal information, damaging customer trust and incurring regulatory penalties. The vulnerability’s unauthenticated nature means attackers can exploit it remotely without any credentials, increasing the attack surface significantly. Additionally, the lack of user interaction required accelerates the risk of automated exploitation by bots or worm-like malware. Organizations may face operational disruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage if this vulnerability is exploited. Given the widespread use of WooCommerce and WordPress globally, the threat is relevant to a broad range of industries including retail, hospitality, and services.

To mitigate CVE-2024-7257, organizations should immediately take the following specific actions: 1) Disable or uninstall the YayExtra – WooCommerce Extra Product Options plugin until a patched version is released. 2) If disabling is not feasible, restrict file upload capabilities by implementing server-side validation to allow only safe file types (e.g., images) and reject executable or script files. 3) Configure web server permissions to prevent execution of uploaded files in the upload directories, for example by disabling PHP execution in those folders. 4) Monitor web server logs and upload directories for suspicious files or activity indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Employ Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with rules targeting arbitrary file upload patterns to block malicious requests. 6) Keep all WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities. 7) Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests focusing on file upload functionalities. 8) Educate site administrators on the risks of installing unverified plugins and the importance of timely patching. These measures, combined, will reduce the risk of exploitation until an official patch is available.