CVE-2025-46244 is a Missing Authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) identified in the Dotstore Advanced Linked Variations plugin for WooCommerce, affecting versions up to 1.0.3. This vulnerability arises due to improperly configured access control mechanisms within the plugin, allowing unauthorized users to perform actions or access resources that should be restricted. Specifically, the flaw means that the plugin fails to verify whether a user has the necessary permissions before allowing certain operations related to linked product variations. WooCommerce is a widely used e-commerce platform built on WordPress, and the Advanced Linked Variations plugin enhances product variation management by linking related product options for better customer experience. The missing authorization can be exploited by an attacker who gains access to the WooCommerce environment, potentially enabling them to manipulate product variation data, alter pricing, or interfere with inventory management without proper privileges. Although no public exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability poses a risk because it undermines the integrity and confidentiality of e-commerce data. The issue does not require user interaction but does require the attacker to have some level of access to the WooCommerce backend or the ability to send crafted requests to the affected plugin endpoints. Since the vulnerability relates to access control, it can lead to unauthorized data modification or disclosure, impacting business operations and customer trust. The lack of an official patch at the time of disclosure increases the urgency for organizations to implement compensating controls.

For European organizations operating WooCommerce-based e-commerce sites using the Advanced Linked Variations plugin, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized modification of product data, including pricing and inventory, potentially resulting in financial loss, reputational damage, and customer trust erosion. Attackers exploiting this flaw could manipulate product offerings, causing incorrect orders or stock discrepancies. This could disrupt supply chains and sales operations, especially for SMEs reliant on WooCommerce for online retail. Additionally, unauthorized access to product variation data may expose sensitive business information, affecting confidentiality. Given the plugin’s role in managing linked product variations, integrity and availability of product data are at risk, which can cascade into broader operational disruptions. The vulnerability's exploitation could also facilitate fraudulent transactions or enable further attacks by escalating privileges within the e-commerce environment. For organizations subject to GDPR, unauthorized data access or manipulation could lead to compliance violations and associated penalties. The medium severity rating reflects these risks, emphasizing the need for timely mitigation to prevent exploitation.

1. Immediate mitigation should include restricting access to the WooCommerce backend and plugin management interfaces to trusted administrators only, using strong authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication (MFA). 2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the Advanced Linked Variations plugin endpoints, especially those attempting to perform unauthorized actions. 3. Monitor logs for unusual activity related to product variation management, including unexpected changes in product data or access patterns from non-administrative accounts. 4. Until an official patch is released, consider disabling or uninstalling the Advanced Linked Variations plugin if it is not critical to business operations. 5. Review and tighten WordPress and WooCommerce user roles and permissions to ensure the principle of least privilege is enforced, minimizing the number of users who can interact with product variation data. 6. Keep all WordPress core, WooCommerce, and related plugins updated to the latest versions to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities. 7. Prepare to apply vendor patches promptly once available and test them in a staging environment before production deployment. 8. Educate administrators about the risks of unauthorized access and the importance of secure credential management.