CVE-2024-44039 in WP Travel Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/06/2024
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in WP Travel WP Travel wp-travel allows Stored XSS.This issue affects WP Travel: from n/a through <= 9.3.1.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2024-44039 represents a critical cross-site scripting weakness in the WP Travel plugin for WordPress, specifically impacting versions through 9.3.1. This flaw falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, where malicious input is improperly sanitized during web page generation processes. The vulnerability enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, creating a persistent threat vector within the affected WordPress environment. The issue manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability, meaning that malicious payloads can be permanently stored on the server and executed whenever affected pages are accessed, rather than requiring immediate user interaction with a crafted link.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when WP Travel fails to properly neutralize user input during the generation of web pages, particularly in areas where travel itineraries, booking forms, or user-generated content are processed. Attackers can leverage this weakness by submitting malicious script content through various input fields within the plugin's interface, including but not limited to booking forms, review sections, or custom travel package descriptions. Once stored in the database, these malicious scripts execute automatically in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected pages, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects core travel booking functionality, making it particularly dangerous for travel agencies and booking platforms that rely heavily on user-generated content.
The operational consequences of this stored XSS vulnerability extend beyond simple script execution, potentially enabling sophisticated attack chains that can compromise entire WordPress installations. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, access administrative interfaces, or redirect users to malicious sites for phishing attacks. The vulnerability affects the plugin's core functionality, meaning that any website utilizing WP Travel for travel booking services becomes vulnerable to persistent script injection attacks. This creates a significant risk for businesses that handle sensitive user information, including personal details, payment information, and booking preferences. The vulnerability's presence in versions up to 9.3.1 indicates that a substantial portion of WordPress travel booking platforms may be exposed, particularly given the plugin's widespread adoption in the travel industry. Organizations relying on WP Travel for their online booking systems face potential data breaches, loss of customer trust, and regulatory compliance issues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-44039 should prioritize immediate patching of the WP Travel plugin to the latest available version that addresses this vulnerability. Security administrators must conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of the affected plugin across their WordPress environments and ensure that automatic updates are enabled where possible. Input validation and output sanitization measures should be strengthened through the implementation of proper HTML escaping mechanisms for all user-generated content within the plugin's interface. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious script injection attempts, while establishing monitoring protocols to identify unauthorized modifications to travel booking data. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and themes should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities, and incident response procedures should be updated to address potential XSS attack scenarios. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.008 for Scripting and T1566.001 for Spearphishing Attachment, highlighting the need for both preventive measures and active threat detection capabilities. Network segmentation and least privilege access controls should be implemented to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular backups should be maintained to ensure rapid recovery in case of compromise.