CVE-2024-24717 in Online Booking Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/10/2024
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 2.0.23.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/25/2024
The CVE-2024-24717 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the Beds24 Online Booking platform that enables stored XSS attacks. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization during web page generation processes, creating a persistent security risk for users interacting with the booking system. The flaw specifically affects versions of the Beds24 platform ranging from an unspecified initial version through 2.0.23, indicating a prolonged period during which the vulnerability remained unaddressed. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability means that malicious scripts can be permanently injected into the application's database and subsequently executed whenever affected pages are loaded, making it particularly dangerous for web applications handling sensitive user data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when user-supplied input containing malicious script code is not properly sanitized before being rendered in web pages. This failure in input validation allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code through various input fields within the Beds24 platform, including but not limited to booking forms, guest comments, or property descriptions. When legitimate users access pages containing this stored malicious content, their browsers execute the embedded scripts, potentially compromising their sessions and enabling further attack vectors. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as the improper sanitization of input data during web page generation. This weakness creates an attack surface where malicious actors can exploit user trust to execute arbitrary code in the context of the victim's browser.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-24717 extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable complete session hijacking and privilege escalation within the Beds24 platform. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to steal user credentials, manipulate booking data, and potentially gain access to sensitive guest information stored within the system. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the attack persists even after the initial injection, allowing attackers to maintain access over extended periods. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for hospitality businesses relying on Beds24 for their online booking operations, as compromised systems could lead to financial loss, reputational damage, and potential regulatory violations under data protection frameworks such as GDPR or CCPA. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1531 which describes the use of malicious code injection to gain access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-24717 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Beds24 installations to version 2.0.24 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application, ensuring that all user-supplied data is properly sanitized before being stored or rendered in web pages. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers and proper HTTPOnly flags for session cookies can provide additional defense layers against XSS exploitation. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in related systems, while user education about phishing and suspicious website behavior remains essential. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls and real-time monitoring solutions to detect and prevent XSS attack attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the necessity of following secure coding guidelines as outlined in OWASP Top 10 and NIST cybersecurity frameworks to prevent such persistent security flaws in web applications.