The WP Booking Calendar plugin, widely utilized for managing appointments and bookings on WordPress sites, has been found to contain a critical security vulnerability. This flaw allows attackers to exploit the widget feature through a Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) attack, ultimately leading to account takeover and the creation of backdoors. As the plugin boasts approximately 50,000 installations, it is vital for users to understand the implications of this vulnerability and take necessary precautions.
| CVE | CVE-2024-10027 |
| Plugin | WP Booking Calendar < 10.6.3 |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 3 251 663 |
| Active installations | 50 000+ |
| Publicly Published | October 25, 2024 |
| Last Updated | October 25, 2024 |
| Researcher | Dmitrii Ignatyev |
| OWASP TOP-10 | A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) |
| PoC | Yes |
| Exploit | No |
| Reference | https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-10027 https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/a94c7b64-720a-47f1-a74a-691c3a9ed3a1/ |
| Plugin Security Certification by CleanTalk |  |
| Logo of the plugin |  |
Timeline
| October 16, 2024 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the WP Booking Calendar have been completed |
| October 16, 2024 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| October 25, 2024 | Registered CVE-2024-10027 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
During a security audit of the WP Booking Calendar plugin, it was discovered that the plugin inadequately sanitized user inputs within its widget settings. This oversight enables an attacker with editor privileges to embed malicious JavaScript code into the title field of the widget. Once saved, this code is executed whenever the widget is displayed, effectively compromising the site’s integrity and allowing unauthorized access.
Understanding of XSS attack’s
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) is a prevalent vulnerability that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. In the context of WordPress, XSS can manifest in various forms, affecting posts, comments, and widgets. A notable example of XSS exploitation occurred in the past with popular themes and plugins that failed to adequately escape or sanitize user inputs, leading to severe security breaches. In this instance, the WP Booking Calendar plugin’s insufficient validation of widget titles provides a new vector for similar attacks, showcasing the ongoing risks associated with XSS vulnerabilities in widely-used software.
Exploiting the XSS Vulnerability
To exploit the CVE-2024-10027 vulnerability, an attacker can create a new widget in the WP Booking Calendar. By entering a payload such as <img src=x onerror=alert(1)> in the title field and saving the settings, the malicious script is stored and executed whenever the widget is rendered. Given that the unfiltered_html capability is granted to users with editor roles, this vulnerability can be replicated by any user with such permissions. The ease of executing this attack raises concerns about the security practices surrounding user roles and capabilities in WordPress.
POC:
Create a new widget by Booking Calendar. You should change "Title" field to "Malicious JS code eval() and etc. For example <img src=x onerror=alert(1)> -> Save Settings (Admins and editors are allowed to use JS in posts/pages/comments/etc, so the unfiltered_html capability should be disallowed when testing for Stored XSS using such roles)____
The ramifications of this vulnerability extend beyond mere inconvenience; they pose a significant risk to website administrators and users alike. A successful XSS attack could lead to sensitive data exposure, unauthorized account access, and the installation of malicious software. For instance, an attacker could use the backdoor created through this vulnerability to manipulate bookings, extract user data, or propagate further attacks across the website. Real-world scenarios illustrate how similar vulnerabilities have led to data breaches and loss of user trust, emphasizing the importance of addressing this issue promptly.
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2024-10027, it is essential for site administrators to take proactive measures. Firstly, it is advisable to review and update the WP Booking Calendar plugin to the latest version, if available. Additionally, enforcing strict content security policies and limiting user roles with unfiltered HTML capabilities can significantly reduce the likelihood of such vulnerabilities being exploited. Regular security audits and employing security plugins that scan for XSS vulnerabilities can further enhance the protection of WordPress sites against such attacks.
By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-10027, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
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Dmitrii I.
