CVE-2019-12239 in WP Booking System
Summary
by MITRE
The WP Booking System plugin 1.5.1 for WordPress has no CSRF protection, which allows attackers to reach certain SQL injection issues that require administrative access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/23/2023
The WP Booking System plugin version 1.5.1 for WordPress presents a critical security vulnerability classified as CVE-2019-12239 due to the complete absence of Cross-Site Request Forgery protection mechanisms. This fundamental flaw creates a pathway for attackers to exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities that would typically require administrative privileges to execute successfully. The vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper CSRF token validation in its administrative interfaces, allowing malicious actors to craft and execute unauthorized requests on behalf of authenticated users. This weakness directly violates security principle 11 from the OWASP Top Ten 2017, which emphasizes the importance of protecting against CSRF attacks. The lack of CSRF protection means that any authenticated user session can be hijacked or manipulated by attackers who craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the WordPress backend.
The technical implementation flaw manifests in the plugin's administrative endpoints where user input is processed without proper validation of request origin or authenticity tokens. When an administrator performs actions within the plugin's interface, the system fails to verify that the request originates from a legitimate source within the same session. This absence of CSRF protection creates a dangerous attack surface where attackers can leverage existing administrative sessions to perform operations that would normally require explicit authorization. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when combined with SQL injection capabilities, as the attacker can manipulate database queries through the administrative interface without having to establish their own administrative credentials. This represents a classic case of insufficient anti-CSRF controls that can be mapped to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery vulnerabilities. The attack vector can be exploited through various methods including social engineering campaigns, where administrators are tricked into visiting malicious websites that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable plugin.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-12239 extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise entire WordPress installations and their associated databases. Attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can execute arbitrary SQL commands that may lead to data exfiltration, database corruption, or even complete system compromise. The vulnerability's requirement for administrative access means that attackers who gain control of an administrator's session can perform actions such as modifying booking records, accessing sensitive customer data, or even installing backdoors through database manipulation. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004, which covers valid accounts through compromised credentials, as the attack exploits legitimate administrative sessions. The impact is particularly severe in environments where the plugin handles sensitive booking information, customer details, or financial transactions, as the SQL injection capabilities could result in unauthorized data access or modification. Organizations using this plugin without proper mitigation measures face significant risk of data breaches and regulatory compliance violations.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-12239 involve immediate patching of the WP Booking System plugin to version 1.5.2 or later, which includes proper CSRF protection mechanisms. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities and ensuring that all WordPress plugins are regularly updated from trusted sources. Network-level protections including web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious CSRF requests, while also implementing proper session management practices that include secure cookie attributes and session timeout mechanisms. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify other plugins that may exhibit similar CSRF vulnerabilities and ensure that all administrative interfaces implement proper token validation. The fix for this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of CSRF protection in web applications, particularly in administrative interfaces where elevated privileges can cause significant damage. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative accounts and regular security audits to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through third-party plugins. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the essential security controls that must be implemented in all web applications, particularly those that handle sensitive data and provide administrative functionality.