CVE-2018-6891 in #1 WordPress Booking Plugin Lite
Summary
by MITRE
Bookly #1 WordPress Booking Plugin Lite before 14.5 has XSS via a jQuery.ajax request to ng-payment_details_dialog.js.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2020
The CVE-2018-6891 vulnerability affects the Bookly WordPress booking plugin Lite version 14.4 and earlier, representing a cross-site scripting flaw that exploits improper input validation within the plugin's JavaScript components. This vulnerability specifically targets the ng-payment_details_dialog.js file which handles payment dialog functionality through jQuery.ajax requests, creating an attack vector that allows malicious actors to inject arbitrary JavaScript code into the application's response handling mechanisms.
The technical exploitation occurs when the plugin processes user-supplied data through the jQuery.ajax function without adequate sanitization or output encoding. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of parameters passed to the payment details dialog, where unfiltered input can be executed in the context of a user's browser session. This flaw enables attackers to craft malicious requests that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, result in script execution within the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection as it represents a critical security weakness in a widely used WordPress plugin that handles booking and payment information. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious code against authenticated users, potentially gaining access to sensitive booking data, customer information, and payment details. The vulnerability affects not only the plugin's core functionality but also the broader WordPress installation security posture, as successful exploitation could provide a foothold for additional attacks within the web application environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-6891 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 14.5 or later, where the XSS vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Security administrators should also implement additional protective measures including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious AJAX requests, regular security audits of plugin components, and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to WordPress plugin files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 Cross-site Scripting categories and represents a classic example of how client-side validation failures can lead to significant security implications in web applications. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution capabilities and reduce the potential impact of successful XSS attacks. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in AJAX-based web applications and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party plugins within WordPress environments. The attack surface for this vulnerability extends to any user with access to the booking plugin functionality, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user WordPress installations where administrative privileges may be compromised.