CVE-2024-37272 in Travel Monster Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in WP Travel Engine Travel Monster allows Cross Site Request Forgery.This issue affects Travel Monster: from n/a through 1.1.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
The CVE-2024-37272 vulnerability represents a critical Cross-Site Request Forgery flaw within the WP Travel Engine Travel Monster plugin, a widely used WordPress travel booking and management solution. This vulnerability exposes websites utilizing the plugin to unauthorized actions that can be executed without user consent, fundamentally compromising the security integrity of travel booking systems. The issue specifically impacts versions of the Travel Monster plugin ranging from the initial release through version 1.1.2, indicating a prolonged period during which the vulnerability remained unaddressed. The flaw resides in the plugin's handling of cross-site requests, where proper validation mechanisms for user authentication and authorization are insufficiently implemented.
The technical nature of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement robust anti-forgery token mechanisms or proper request origin verification. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious requests that appear to originate from legitimate users within the WordPress admin environment. This allows unauthorized modifications to travel booking data, user management, or system configurations without requiring administrative credentials. The vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as CWE-352, which specifically identifies Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The attack vector typically involves tricking authenticated users into clicking malicious links or visiting compromised websites that automatically submit requests to the vulnerable Travel Monster plugin endpoints.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to potentially compromise entire travel booking systems and customer information. An attacker could leverage this CSRF flaw to modify travel package details, alter booking confirmations, manipulate user accounts, or even delete critical travel data. The vulnerability particularly affects travel agencies, booking platforms, and hospitality businesses that rely on WordPress-based systems for their online operations. Organizations using the affected plugin versions face significant risks including financial loss, reputational damage, and potential compliance violations under data protection regulations. The attack methodology aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the use of credential harvesting and session manipulation to gain unauthorized access to web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-37272 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the CSRF implementation gaps. Administrators must ensure all users are running the latest plugin version that includes proper token validation and request origin checking mechanisms. Additional protective measures include implementing Content Security Policy headers, enabling two-factor authentication for administrative accounts, and conducting regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though they should not replace proper code-level fixes. Organizations should also establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual administrative activities or unauthorized modifications to travel booking data. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date WordPress plugins and implementing comprehensive security practices for travel and hospitality industry websites.