CVE-2024-2341 in Appointment Booking Calendar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 04/10/2024
The Appointment Booking Calendar — Simply Schedule Appointments Booking Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the keys parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.6.7.7 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2025
The CVE-2024-2341 vulnerability affects the Appointment Booking Calendar plugin for WordPress, specifically versions up to and including 1.6.7.7. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits SQL injection techniques through the keys parameter, demonstrating a fundamental weakness in input validation and query construction within the plugin's codebase. The vulnerability exists due to inadequate sanitization of user-supplied parameters, creating an exploitable condition that allows malicious actors to manipulate database queries through legitimate plugin functionality.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient escaping of the keys parameter within the plugin's SQL query execution process. When authenticated users with subscriber privileges or higher submit requests containing malicious input through this parameter, the plugin fails to properly prepare or sanitize the input before incorporating it into existing database queries. This lack of proper input validation creates a direct pathway for attackers to inject additional SQL commands that execute alongside the original queries, effectively bypassing standard security controls. The vulnerability operates at the database interaction layer where user input directly influences query construction without adequate protective measures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin, as it enables authenticated attackers to extract sensitive information from the database. The impact extends beyond simple data theft to potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges, modify database contents, or even execute arbitrary code depending on the underlying database system's capabilities. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to access user credentials, personal information, booking records, and other sensitive data stored within the WordPress database. The fact that the vulnerability requires only subscriber-level access makes it particularly concerning as it can be exploited by relatively low-privilege users within the system.
Organizations should immediately update to the latest plugin version to remediate this vulnerability, as no patch was available for versions prior to the release addressing this issue. The recommended mitigation strategy includes implementing comprehensive input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in the future. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of all installed WordPress plugins to identify potential SQL injection vulnerabilities, as this type of flaw is common across many web applications. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection weaknesses, and represents a clear violation of secure coding practices that should be addressed through proper input sanitization and query preparation techniques.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond immediate data extraction to potential privilege escalation and system compromise. Security teams should monitor for suspicious activities in plugin usage patterns and implement database query logging to detect potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1566 for credential harvesting, indicating that exploitation could lead to further reconnaissance and lateral movement within compromised systems. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and database activity monitoring solutions to provide additional layers of protection against similar SQL injection attacks that may target other components of their WordPress installations.