CVE-2024-30502 in WP Travel Engine Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2024
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in WP Travel Engine.This issue affects WP Travel Engine: from n/a through 5.7.9.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-30502 represents a critical SQL injection weakness within the WP Travel Engine plugin for WordPress platforms. This flaw resides in the improper handling of special elements within SQL commands, creating an avenue for malicious actors to manipulate database queries through user input. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of WP Travel Engine ranging from the initial release through version 5.7.9, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple iterations of the plugin. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly neutralize potentially harmful characters and sequences that could alter the intended execution flow of SQL statements.
From a technical perspective, this SQL injection vulnerability operates by allowing attackers to inject malicious SQL code through input fields or parameters that are not adequately sanitized before being incorporated into database queries. The flaw typically manifests when user-supplied data is directly concatenated into SQL command strings without proper escaping or parameterization. This vulnerability maps directly to CWE-89 which defines SQL injection as the insertion of malicious SQL code into input fields, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation. Attackers can exploit this weakness to bypass authentication mechanisms, extract sensitive data from the database, modify or delete records, or potentially escalate privileges within the affected system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system infiltration and unauthorized access to sensitive travel-related information. WP Travel Engine serves as a booking and travel management platform, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to access customer data, payment information, or reservation details. The vulnerability creates an elevated risk for businesses operating travel services through WordPress, as successful exploitation could result in data breaches, financial losses, and regulatory compliance violations. Organizations using affected versions face potential exposure to credential theft, data exfiltration, and system compromise that could affect their entire digital infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-30502 require immediate action to address the SQL injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameterized queries. The primary remediation involves updating to the latest version of WP Travel Engine where the vulnerability has been patched and properly addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures that properly escape or parameterize all user inputs before database interaction. Security measures including web application firewalls, database query monitoring, and regular security audits should be implemented to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Additionally, access controls should be reviewed to ensure least privilege principles are maintained, and database permissions should be restricted to minimize potential damage from successful attacks. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security practices throughout the application lifecycle to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.