CVE-2025-39501 in Hostel Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/23/2025
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') vulnerability in GoodLayers Goodlayers Hostel allows Blind SQL Injection. This issue affects Goodlayers Hostel: from n/a through 3.1.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/23/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw in the Goodlayers Hostel plugin version 3.1.2 and earlier, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate sql commands through specially crafted inputs. The vulnerability falls under the common weakness enumeration CWE-89 which specifically addresses sql injection attacks where user-supplied data is not properly sanitized before being incorporated into sql queries. The affected plugin fails to adequately neutralize special elements in sql commands, creating an attack surface where malicious actors can execute unauthorized database operations. This particular variant is classified as blind sql injection, meaning that the attacker cannot directly observe the results of their sql commands but can infer information through indirect means such as timing variations or conditional responses.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows unauthorized access to the underlying database containing sensitive information such as user credentials, booking details, and guest information. Attackers can leverage this weakness to extract data, modify records, or potentially escalate privileges within the affected system. The blind nature of the injection means that attackers must employ more sophisticated techniques to gather information, often requiring multiple requests and careful observation of system responses. This vulnerability particularly affects the plugin's handling of user inputs in database queries, where parameters are directly concatenated into sql statements without proper sanitization or parameterization. The attack vector likely involves manipulation of url parameters, form inputs, or api endpoints that interact with the database layer of the hostel management system.
The security implications extend beyond simple data theft as this vulnerability could enable complete system compromise through database manipulation or privilege escalation. Attackers might exploit this weakness to inject malicious code, create backdoors, or perform destructive operations on the hosted data. The affected versions from n/a through 3.1.2 indicate that the vulnerability has existed for multiple releases, suggesting a prolonged exposure window where systems could be compromised without proper patching. Organizations using this plugin are particularly vulnerable as the attack surface includes all functionalities that interact with the database, including guest registration, booking management, and administrative functions. This vulnerability directly relates to attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under the sql injection category, where attackers leverage improper input handling to gain unauthorized access to backend databases.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 3.1.3 or later where the sql injection vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application code to prevent similar issues in the future. Database access controls and monitoring should be strengthened to detect unusual query patterns that might indicate sql injection attempts. The implementation of web application firewalls and input sanitization mechanisms can provide additional layers of protection. Organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their wordpress installations to identify other potential sql injection vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, as this represents a common attack pattern that affects many web applications. Regular security updates and vulnerability scanning should be implemented as part of the security operations to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include database audit trails and access logging to track any potential exploitation attempts and ensure proper incident response procedures are in place.