CVE-2023-52228 in Beds24 Online Booking Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/27/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Mark Kinchin Beds24 Online Booking allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Beds24 Online Booking: from n/a through 2.0.24.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52228 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Beds24 Online Booking system that enables attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of victim browsers. This weakness falls under the category of improper input neutralization during web page generation, specifically manifesting as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows persistent malicious code execution. The vulnerability exists in versions of Beds24 Online Booking ranging from the initial release through version 2.0.24, indicating a prolonged exposure period where users remained susceptible to this security flaw. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious payloads are permanently stored on the server and subsequently executed whenever affected users access the compromised web pages, making this particularly dangerous for web applications that process user-generated content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization and validation of user inputs that are subsequently rendered in web pages without proper escaping or encoding mechanisms. When users submit data through various application interfaces such as booking forms, guest comments, or administrative inputs, the application fails to properly neutralize potentially malicious script code that could be embedded within these inputs. This failure creates an environment where attackers can inject javascript code that gets stored in the application's database or storage systems. When other users view pages containing this stored data, their browsers execute the malicious scripts, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of the victims. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines the improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a primary weakness in web application security.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or session manipulation, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can compromise user trust and application integrity. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain access to sensitive user information including personal details, booking records, and potentially administrative credentials if the application lacks proper access controls. The stored nature of the XSS means that the attack remains active even after the initial injection, allowing attackers to maintain long-term access to victim systems or data. This vulnerability particularly impacts hospitality and booking applications where user-generated content is common, as the attack surface includes guest reviews, booking notes, and administrative comments. The threat landscape for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which focuses on credential access through manipulation of applications and data, and T1059 which covers command and control through scripting and code injection.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-52228 require immediate implementation of proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the Beds24 Online Booking application. The most effective approach involves implementing comprehensive sanitization of all user inputs before storage, combined with proper HTML encoding of all dynamic content before rendering in web pages. Organizations should implement Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation gaps throughout the application. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege separation can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation and output encoding as fundamental security practices, with remediation requiring updates to the application's core data handling mechanisms to prevent future occurrences of similar flaws.