CVE-2024-37944 in WP Travel Engine Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (XSS or 'Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in WP Travel Engine allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP Travel Engine: from n/a through 5.9.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-37944 represents a critical security flaw in the WP Travel Engine plugin for WordPress platforms, specifically categorized under CWE-79 - Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This weakness enables stored cross-site scripting attacks that can persistently affect users interacting with compromised web pages. The vulnerability manifests when user-supplied input is inadequately sanitized or escaped during the generation of web page content, creating an environment where malicious scripts can be injected and executed within the context of other users' browsers. The affected version range spans from an unspecified starting point through version 5.9.1, indicating that multiple iterations of the plugin contained this security deficiency.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input that gets stored and subsequently rendered on web pages. When users submit data through forms or other input mechanisms within the WP Travel Engine interface, the application does not sufficiently neutralize potentially malicious content before storing it in the database. This stored data is then retrieved and displayed on various pages without proper HTML escaping or output encoding, allowing attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the browsers of unsuspecting visitors. The stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains persistent until manually removed from the database, making it particularly dangerous for websites that rely on user-generated content or dynamic data entry.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-37944 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within user sessions. This vulnerability can be exploited to hijack user sessions, steal sensitive information, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, or redirect them to malicious websites. The implications are particularly severe for travel booking platforms where users may enter personal information, payment details, or sensitive travel itineraries that could be compromised through this XSS vector. The persistent nature of stored XSS means that once an attacker successfully injects malicious code, it will affect all users who view the compromised pages until the injection is removed, potentially affecting thousands of users over extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-37944 must prioritize immediate remediation through the application of available security patches or updates from the plugin developers. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to prevent the storage and execution of malicious content. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional protection layers against XSS attacks by restricting the sources from which scripts can be loaded. Regular security auditing of plugin code, including thorough input sanitization and output escaping practices, should be enforced. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 - Phishing: Spearphishing Attachment, as attackers can leverage stored XSS to deliver malicious payloads that compromise user systems. System administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while ensuring all WordPress installations maintain current security patches for both the core platform and all installed plugins.