CVE-2014-4547 in Online Booking
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in templates/default/index_ajax.php in the Rezgo Online Booking plugin before 1.8.2 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) tags or (2) search_for parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2018
The CVE-2014-4547 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Rezgo Online Booking plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.8.2. This vulnerability resides within the template file templates/default/index_ajax.php and demonstrates a classic input validation failure that enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of affected websites. The flaw manifests through two primary attack vectors involving the tags and search_for parameters, making it particularly dangerous as it provides multiple entry points for exploitation. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, which is one of the most prevalent and well-documented web application security weaknesses. This classification places the vulnerability squarely within the ATT&CK framework under the technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, highlighting how attackers can leverage publicly accessible web applications to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization and output encoding of user-supplied input parameters. When the plugin processes the tags or search_for parameters through the index_ajax.php template, it fails to properly validate or escape the input data before rendering it in the web page context. This allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit the affected pages. The AJAX-based nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code can be executed without requiring a full page reload, making it particularly stealthy and difficult to detect through traditional monitoring approaches. The impact is amplified because WordPress plugins often run with elevated privileges and can access sensitive user data, making this vulnerability not just a simple XSS vector but a potential gateway for more severe attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4547 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, deface websites, steal user credentials, or redirect visitors to malicious sites. Given that the Rezgo plugin is designed for online booking systems, the potential for financial fraud exists if attackers can capture user session information or manipulate booking data. The vulnerability affects any WordPress installation using the affected plugin version, making it particularly widespread and dangerous for businesses relying on online booking systems. Security researchers have noted that such vulnerabilities often remain undetected for extended periods due to the complexity of tracking AJAX-based attacks and the difficulty in correlating malicious payloads with legitimate user interactions. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory compliance issues, and potential legal consequences if user data is compromised through such vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4547 primarily focus on immediate patching of the Rezgo plugin to version 1.8.2 or later, which contains the necessary input validation and sanitization fixes. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers, including web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious payloads in real-time. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional defense layer by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed on affected websites. Organizations should conduct thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities, as this particular flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor input handling issues can create significant security risks. Regular security monitoring and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to detect similar weaknesses in other application components. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping all web application components updated and following secure coding practices that emphasize input validation and output encoding as fundamental security controls. Organizations should consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain detailed logs of plugin usage to facilitate rapid incident response in case of future vulnerabilities.