CVE-2024-1634 in Scheduling Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/18/2024
The Scheduling Plugin – Online Booking for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'cbsb_disconnect_settings' function in all versions up to, and including, 3.5.10. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to disconnect the plugin from the startbooking service and remove connection data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-1634 affects the Scheduling Plugin – Online Booking for WordPress, a widely used WordPress plugin that facilitates online booking services. This plugin enables website administrators to integrate booking systems with external service providers, specifically the startbooking service. The vulnerability stems from a critical design flaw in the plugin's access control mechanisms, specifically within the 'cbsb_disconnect_settings' function that handles the disconnection process from the external booking service. The issue exists in all versions up to and including 3.5.10, representing a significant security gap that undermines the integrity of the plugin's administrative functions.
The technical flaw manifests as a missing capability check within the plugin's codebase, which is classified as a CWE-284 Access Control Vulnerability. This means that the plugin fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges before executing the disconnection function. The absence of proper authentication verification allows any unauthenticated user to exploit this function, effectively bypassing the intended security controls. The vulnerability specifically targets the 'cbsb_disconnect_settings' endpoint, which when invoked without proper authorization, executes the removal of connection data from the plugin's configuration. This function operates without validating the user's credentials or administrative status, creating an exploitable path for malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables unauthorized data loss and service disruption. An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to disconnect the plugin from the startbooking service, effectively breaking the booking functionality for legitimate users. Beyond simple disconnection, the vulnerability allows for the complete removal of connection data, which could include API keys, authentication tokens, and other critical configuration parameters. This compromise directly affects the availability and integrity of the booking system, potentially leading to revenue loss for businesses relying on the plugin for their online booking operations. The vulnerability also creates potential for further exploitation as the attacker could use this access to manipulate other plugin settings or potentially gain insights into the system's configuration.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of remote services and the use of valid credentials to perform unauthorized actions. The flaw represents a privilege escalation vulnerability that allows attackers to perform administrative actions without proper authentication. Organizations using this plugin face significant risk as the vulnerability can be exploited through simple web requests without requiring any special tools or advanced technical knowledge. The impact extends beyond immediate data loss, as the disruption of booking services can damage business operations and customer trust. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor security practices in plugin development, specifically the lack of proper input validation and access control implementation that should be standard in all web applications. Security teams should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions, implementing network-level restrictions, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to affected systems.