CVE-2016-10908 in booking-calendar-contact-form Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The booking-calendar-contact-form plugin before 1.0.24 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10908 affects the booking-calendar-contact-form plugin for WordPress, specifically versions prior to 1.0.24, and represents a cross-site scripting vulnerability that poses significant security risks to affected websites. This type of vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat that can compromise user sessions and potentially lead to further exploitation. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's codebase, particularly in how it handles user-supplied data in calendar and contact form functionalities.
The technical flaw manifests when the plugin fails to properly sanitize user inputs before rendering them in HTML output contexts. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting malicious payloads through booking forms or calendar entry fields, which are then executed in the browsers of other users who view the affected content. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where malicious scripts are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever the affected page is loaded. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, or redirect users to malicious websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be weaponized to perform various malicious activities including credential theft, session hijacking, and data exfiltration. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the context of the victim's browser, potentially enabling them to access cookies, local storage, and other sensitive data. The attack can be particularly devastating in environments where administrators or regular users interact with the booking calendar and contact form functionalities, as these are often used for sensitive business communications and customer data collection. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for credential access through phishing and social engineering, as attackers can craft malicious payloads that appear legitimate within the context of booking and contact forms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10908 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 1.0.24 or later, which includes proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as content security policies to limit script execution, regular security audits of WordPress plugins, and monitoring for suspicious user inputs in form fields. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing website functionality, while also establishing automated update mechanisms for WordPress plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future. Security professionals should also consider implementing web application firewalls to provide an additional layer of protection against exploitation attempts.