WordPress remains one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) worldwide, offering thousands of plugins to enhance its functionality. However, the security of these plugins is a significant concern, as vulnerabilities can expose websites to attacks. One such vulnerability, CVE-2024-13616, was discovered in the Vik Booking plugin, a popular hotel booking engine for WordPress. This article explores the discovery, exploitation, and potential risks of this stored XSS vulnerability, along with recommendations for mitigation.
| CVE | CVE-2024-13616 |
| Plugin | VikBooking Hotel Booking Engine & PMS < 1.7.2 |
| Critical | High |
| All Time | 181 446 |
| Active installations | 9 000+ |
| Publicly Published | March 17, 2025 |
| Last Updated | March 17, 2025 |
| Researcher | Artyom Krugov |
| OWASP TOP-10 | A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) |
| PoC | Yes |
| Exploit | No |
| Reference | https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2024-13616 https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/44b3a2d9-a2e1-43dd-b27a-1ad9d6015c9b/ |
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| Logo of the plugin |  |
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Timeline
| November 17, 2024 | Plugin testing and vulnerability detection in the Vik Booking have been completed |
| November 17, 2024 | I contacted the author of the plugin and provided a vulnerability PoC with a description and recommendations for fixing |
| March 17, 2025 | Registered CVE-2024-13616 |
Discovery of the Vulnerability
CVE-2024-13616 was identified in the Vik Booking plugin, which provides booking and property management services for accommodations. The vulnerability exists within the “Custom Price Label” field in the room management section. Attackers can inject malicious JavaScript code that is stored in the system and executed when the affected page is loaded by an administrator or other users with sufficient privileges.
Understanding of XSS attack’s
Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) occurs when user-supplied input is saved in a database and later displayed on a web page without proper sanitization. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript whenever the affected page is accessed.
Exploiting the XSS Vulnerability
To exploit CVE-2025-1624, an attacker with editor-level privileges:
POC:
1) Navigate to the Vik Booking tab in the WordPress admin panel. 2) Select Rooms > Rooms list. 3) Click on the New Room button to create a new entry. 4) Locate the Custom Price Label form field and insert the following XSS payload. 5) Save the changes and revisit the rooms list to trigger the execution of the malicious script.____
Stored XSS vulnerabilities pose significant risks, especially in plugins that interact with customer data and administrative functionalities. In the context of Vik Booking, the following risks are notable:
Recommendations for Improved Security
To mitigate the risks associated with stored XSS in Vik Booking and similar plugins, the following security measures should be implemented:
1. Input Validation and Sanitization
- Ensure all user inputs, including the Custom Price Label field, are sanitized using
htmlspecialchars()or similar functions. - Utilize WordPress’s built-in
sanitize_text_field()andesc_html()functions to prevent script execution.
2. Output Encoding
- Encode user-generated content before displaying it on the web page to prevent execution of injected scripts.
3. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP)
- A strict CSP can prevent inline script execution and mitigate XSS risks.
- Example CSP header: Content-Security-Policy: default-src ‘self’; script-src ‘self’ ‘nonce-randomvalue’;
4. Restrict User Permissions
- Limit access to room management features to trusted administrators only.
- Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to prevent unauthorized data manipulation.v
5. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)
- Deploy a WAF to detect and block malicious requests before they reach the application.
- Services like Cloudflare, Sucuri, or ModSecurity can help protect against XSS attacks.
To prevent this type of attacks vendor used our methods of prevention.
By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-13616, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.
#WordPressSecurity #StoredXSS #WebsiteSafety #StayProtected #HighVulnerability
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Artyom k.