CVE-2014-100009 in JS Multi Hotel
Summary
by MITRE
The Joomlaskin JS Multi Hotel (aka JS MultiHotel and Js-Multi-Hotel) plugin 2.2.1 and earlier for WordPress allows remote attackers to obtain the installation path via a request to (1) functions.php, (2) myCalendar.php, (3) refreshDate.php, (4) show_image.php, (5) widget.php, (6) phpthumb/GdThumb.inc.php, or (7) phpthumb/thumb_plugins/gd_reflection.inc.php in includes/.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
This vulnerability exists within the Joomlaskin JS Multi Hotel plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions 2.2.1 and earlier. The issue represents a sensitive information disclosure flaw that allows remote attackers to discover the absolute installation path of the WordPress system through direct requests to several key plugin files. The affected files include functions.php, myCalendar.php, refreshDate.php, show_image.php, widget.php, and various phpThumb components located in the includes/phpthumb directory structure. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of information disclosure as defined by CWE-200, where attackers can gain knowledge about the system's internal structure and file locations without proper authorization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper error handling and path exposure within the plugin's file processing mechanisms. When remote attackers make requests to the specified PHP files, the application fails to properly sanitize or restrict access to internal path information that should remain hidden from external users. The vulnerability affects the phpThumb library components particularly, which are used for image processing and thumbnail generation within the hotel booking system. These components are designed to handle image manipulation tasks but inadvertently expose directory structure information when processing certain requests. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and security hardening practices that allow attackers to enumerate system paths through simple HTTP requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it provides attackers with critical information that can be used in subsequent attack phases. Knowledge of the absolute installation path enables attackers to craft more targeted attacks, potentially leading to directory traversal exploits, local file inclusion vulnerabilities, or other path-based attacks. This information disclosure can serve as a foundation for advanced persistent threats where attackers use the exposed paths to map the complete system architecture and identify additional vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects the entire WordPress installation since these plugin files are part of the core system structure, making it particularly dangerous for sites running multiple plugins or themes that might share similar path structures.
Security practitioners should immediately upgrade to the latest version of the Joomlaskin JS Multi Hotel plugin to remediate this vulnerability, as no official patches were provided for the affected versions. Organizations should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to these specific plugin files and consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block such path enumeration attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and represents a common pattern of information disclosure in web applications where insufficient input validation leads to path exposure. System administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits to identify any other plugins or themes that might exhibit similar path disclosure behaviors, as this vulnerability type often indicates broader security misconfigurations within the application. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of access patterns to sensitive files can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential attacks.