CVE-2025-3529
📋 TL;DR
The WordPress Simple Shopping Cart plugin has a vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to access sensitive information and download paid digital products without payment. This affects all WordPress sites using the plugin up to version 5.1.2. Attackers can exploit this by manipulating the 'file_url' parameter to bypass payment controls.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Simple Shopping Cart plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete loss of revenue from digital products, exposure of sensitive customer data, and potential compromise of other protected files on the server.
Likely Case
Unauthorized downloads of paid digital products leading to revenue loss and potential exposure of sensitive file paths or configuration information.
If Mitigated
Limited exposure if plugin is disabled or access controls are implemented, but underlying vulnerability remains.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires only HTTP requests with manipulated parameters. No authentication or special tools needed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 5.1.3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-simple-paypal-shopping-cart/#developers
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'WordPress Simple Shopping Cart'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. If no update appears, manually download version 5.1.3+ from WordPress.org and replace plugin files.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable plugin temporarily
allDeactivate the vulnerable plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate wordpress-simple-paypal-shopping-cart
Web server access restrictions
linuxAdd .htaccess rules to restrict access to plugin files
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 127.0.0.1
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the Simple Shopping Cart plugin immediately
- Implement web application firewall rules to block requests containing 'file_url' parameter manipulation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'WordPress Simple Shopping Cart' version 5.1.2 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get wordpress-simple-paypal-shopping-cart --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 5.1.3 or later in WordPress admin panel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- HTTP requests to /wp-content/plugins/wordpress-simple-paypal-shopping-cart/ with file_url parameter
- Multiple failed payment attempts followed by successful file downloads
- Unusual file download patterns from non-customer IPs
Network Indicators:
- HTTP GET requests with manipulated file_url parameters
- Direct downloads from digital product URLs without preceding payment confirmation
SIEM Query:
source="web_access_logs" AND uri_path="/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-simple-paypal-shopping-cart/" AND query_string="*file_url*"🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wordpress-simple-paypal-shopping-cart/tags/5.1.2/includes/wpsc-shortcodes-related.php#L92
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3275373/
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/wordpress-simple-paypal-shopping-cart/#developers
- https://www.tipsandtricks-hq.com/ecommerce/wp-simple-cart-sell-digital-downloads-2468
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/8fecc015-518f-4aab-a17e-17cf4b8cf123?source=cve
