CVE-2024-30508 in WP Hotel Booking Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 03/29/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in ThimPress WP Hotel Booking.This issue affects WP Hotel Booking: from n/a through 2.0.9.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2024
The CVE-2024-30508 vulnerability represents a critical authorization flaw within the ThimPress WP Hotel Booking plugin for WordPress systems. This missing authorization issue allows unauthorized users to access administrative functions and sensitive data without proper authentication. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions of the WP Hotel Booking plugin ranging from an unknown starting point through version 2.0.9.2, creating a significant security gap that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to hotel booking systems and associated data. The flaw exists in the plugin's access control mechanisms, where proper validation checks are absent or improperly implemented, enabling attackers to bypass standard security protocols.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability manifests as a failure in the plugin's authorization framework where user permissions are not properly verified before granting access to administrative features. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and access control checks within the plugin's codebase, allowing any authenticated user or even unauthenticated visitors to perform actions that should be restricted to administrators or authorized personnel. This missing authorization control creates a path for privilege escalation attacks where attackers can manipulate the system to perform unauthorized operations such as modifying booking records, accessing customer information, or altering hotel configuration settings. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and represents a classic example of insufficient access control mechanisms that could lead to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential financial losses, customer privacy breaches, and system integrity compromises. Hotel booking systems contain sensitive customer information including personal details, payment information, and reservation records that could be exploited for identity theft, fraud, or other malicious activities. Attackers could manipulate booking data to create false reservations, alter pricing structures, or gain access to confidential business information that could be used for competitive advantage or further exploitation. The vulnerability also poses risks to the overall integrity of the WordPress installation, as unauthorized access to administrative functions could enable attackers to install malicious plugins, modify core files, or establish persistent backdoors within the system. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in the hospitality industry where data protection regulations such as gdpr and pci dss require strict access controls and audit trails.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-30508 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected WP Hotel Booking plugin to version 2.0.9.3 or later, which contains the necessary authorization fixes. System administrators should conduct thorough security audits of their WordPress installations to identify any other potentially vulnerable plugins or themes that may exhibit similar authorization flaws. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to administrative interfaces and sensitive data, while implementing multi-factor authentication for all administrative accounts. Regular security monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be deployed to identify suspicious access patterns or unauthorized attempts to exploit the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures that include automated scanning for authorization-related issues and maintain up-to-date security patches for all installed plugins and themes. The remediation process should follow established security frameworks such as those outlined in the mitre att&ck framework, particularly focusing on privilege escalation and credential access techniques that attackers might employ to exploit this authorization flaw.