CVE-2018-5670 in booking-calendar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in the booking-calendar plugin 2.1.7 for WordPress. XSS exists via the wp-admin/admin.php sale_conditions[count][] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/30/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5670 resides within the booking-calendar plugin version 2.1.7 for WordPress, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that compromises the security of administrative interfaces. This issue manifests through the wp-admin/admin.php endpoint where the sale_conditions[count][] parameter fails to properly sanitize user input, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject harmful scripts into the administrative environment. The vulnerability specifically targets the WordPress administration panel, where legitimate users with administrative privileges may unknowingly execute malicious code when viewing affected pages.
This cross-site scripting vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-79, which classifies it as "Cross-site Scripting" and represents one of the most prevalent web application security flaws. The weakness occurs due to insufficient input validation and output encoding within the plugin's handling of the sale_conditions[count][] parameter, allowing attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the context of the victim's browser. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates within the WordPress admin interface, where attackers can potentially escalate privileges and gain full control over the affected WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it enables attackers to perform various malicious activities through the compromised administrative session. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to steal administrative credentials, modify booking data, inject malicious content into the calendar interface, or even establish persistent backdoors within the WordPress installation. The attack vector requires minimal user interaction since the vulnerability exists within the administrative interface where administrators regularly navigate, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on the booking-calendar plugin for business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5670 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as the original plugin version 2.1.7 contains the exploitable flaw. Organizations should also implement proper input sanitization measures, including validating and encoding all user-supplied data before processing, particularly within administrative interfaces. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious payloads attempting to exploit this vulnerability, while regular security audits of WordPress plugins should be conducted to identify similar issues. Additionally, implementing role-based access controls and limiting administrative privileges to essential personnel can reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, aligning with defensive strategies outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for web application attacks.