Listen to this Post
How a Simple Shipping API Flaw Turned into a Major Security Nightmare
A newly discovered vulnerability in the PayU CommercePro WordPress plugin has triggered alarm across the cybersecurity community. Exposed by PatchStack, the flaw affects version 3.8.5 and allows attackers to hijack any user account — including site admins — without even needing a password. The exploit lies within the plugin’s shipping cost API, which improperly validates user data, leaving the door wide open for full account takeovers. Even worse, the vendor has yet to release a patch, leaving thousands of sites exposed to real-time threats.
Mass Account Hijack Risk Found in Popular PayU Plugin
A critical flaw in version 3.8.5 of the PayU CommercePro plugin allows unauthenticated attackers to gain full access to WordPress accounts. The vulnerability is rooted in the /payu/v1/get-shipping-cost API route, which fails to properly validate user identity before allowing sensitive session updates. Attackers can exploit this flaw through a chain of API calls, starting with the generation of a token using a hardcoded email address — [email protected]. This token, once obtained through the /payu/v1/generate-user-token endpoint, allows the attacker to impersonate any registered user on the site.
The process centers around the insecure update_cart_data() function, which sets user session data without any authentication checks. By feeding a user ID into this function, the attacker can effectively become any user, including administrators. Once access is gained, the plugin automatically deletes temporary guest accounts that might otherwise alert site owners to the breach. This stealthy tactic further escalates the risk by making detection nearly impossible.
The vulnerability, officially tracked as CVE-2025-31022, remains unpatched despite a 30-day responsible disclosure period. As a result, security experts strongly urge WordPress site owners using the plugin to immediately deactivate and remove it. They also recommend reviewing public-facing API routes and eliminating hardcoded credentials to prevent future exploits. The case underscores the critical importance of secure API design, especially in e-commerce environments where sensitive user data is at stake.
What Undercode Say:
The PayU CommercePro vulnerability is a textbook example of how small coding oversights can balloon into massive security threats. At the core of the issue is the combination of hardcoded credentials and the absence of proper authentication checks — two fatal flaws in API design. When these two problems intersect, they create an open backdoor for anyone savvy enough to follow the breadcrumbs.
The process begins with the attacker exploiting an exposed endpoint to generate a valid auth token tied to a hardcoded email. This in itself is a red flag. Hardcoded credentials are notorious in the infosec world for becoming attack vectors, and in this case, that email serves as a master key. Once the attacker has the token, they use it to impersonate any registered user by feeding their ID into a vulnerable shipping API route. From there, session data is hijacked, and the attacker effectively becomes the user.
This
The lack of a patch, even after 30 days of responsible disclosure, speaks volumes. It reflects a worrying disregard for security hygiene and raises questions about the development standards of the vendor. For any plugin interfacing with payments and user sessions, top-tier security should be a baseline, not an afterthought.
Furthermore, this incident reveals a broader industry issue — poorly implemented public APIs. Developers often underestimate the risks of exposing endpoints without stringent validation layers. API security should involve token-based authentication, identity verification, and logging mechanisms that can trace anomalies. None of those were present here.
For WordPress site owners, this breach is a sobering reminder to audit third-party plugins regularly. Even widely-used plugins with decent reputations can hide dangerous flaws under the hood. Plugin developers should treat all endpoints as potential attack surfaces and secure them accordingly. A proactive mindset can prevent a disaster like this from becoming the next headline.
Lastly, the stealthy nature of the exploit — auto-deleting guest accounts — hints at a level of sophistication that suggests this vulnerability could already be in the wild. If it’s being actively exploited, and no patch is available, users are sitting ducks.
Fact Checker Results ✅
🔍 CVE-2025-31022 is real and documented
🔒 The vulnerability does allow full account hijacking
⚠️ No fix has been released despite responsible disclosure
Prediction 🔮
If the plugin remains unpatched in the coming weeks, we predict a rise in WordPress site compromises, particularly among e-commerce platforms using PayU CommercePro. Threat actors may integrate this exploit into automated botnets, resulting in large-scale account hijacks and data breaches. Expect threat intelligence feeds to start flagging related indicators of compromise soon.
References:
Reported By: www.infosecurity-magazine.com
Extra Source Hub:
https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit
Wikipedia
Undercode AI
Image Source:
Unsplash
Undercode AI DI v2
