CVE-2024-9872 in Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/06/2024
The Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar for WordPress by vcita plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability check on the vcita_save_user_data_callback() function in all versions up to, and including, 4.5.1. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Subscriber-level access and above, to inject malicious web scripts and update settings.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9872 affects the Online Booking & Scheduling Calendar plugin for WordPress developed by vcita. This security flaw exists within the plugin's codebase and specifically targets the vcita_save_user_data_callback() function which handles user data saving operations. The issue represents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the plugin's security controls and exposes the system to potential exploitation by malicious actors within the WordPress environment.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper capability checks within the vcita_save_user_data_callback() function. This function lacks validation to ensure that only users with appropriate administrative privileges can modify critical user data and system settings. As a result, any authenticated user with Subscriber-level access or higher can exploit this weakness to manipulate the plugin's data handling mechanisms. The vulnerability operates at the application level and directly impacts the plugin's access control mechanisms, creating an unauthorized modification vector that bypasses WordPress's standard permission systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to WordPress installations using the affected plugin. An attacker with Subscriber-level privileges can leverage this flaw to inject malicious web scripts into the system and modify various plugin settings. The impact extends beyond simple data modification as the ability to inject web scripts creates potential pathways for cross-site scripting attacks, which could lead to further exploitation including session hijacking, data exfiltration, or lateral movement within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects all versions of the plugin up to and including version 4.5.1, making it a widespread concern across numerous WordPress installations.
The security implications of CVE-2024-9872 align with CWE-284, which describes improper access control vulnerabilities where insufficient checks allow unauthorized users to perform privileged operations. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts, as attackers can exploit existing user accounts to gain elevated privileges within the application. The flaw represents a privilege escalation vector that allows low-privileged users to perform actions typically restricted to higher-level administrators, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Organizations should immediately address this vulnerability through plugin updates or implement temporary mitigations such as restricting user privileges until the official patch is applied.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 4.5.2 or later, which contains the necessary capability checks to prevent unauthorized data modification. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual data modification activities within the plugin's functionality and conduct thorough security audits of user accounts and permissions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and application firewalls to limit potential lateral movement if exploitation occurs. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper capability validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the necessity for regular security assessments of third-party plugins in WordPress environments.