CVE-2023-24396 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This is a detailed overview of CVE-2023-24396, a Cross-Site Scripting vulnerability found in the WordPress VikBooking Hotel Booking Engine & PMS Plugin version 1.5.11 and earlier.

Understanding CVE-2023-24396

This section will explain the nature of the CVE-2023-24396 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation steps.

What is CVE-2023-24396?

CVE-2023-24396 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability discovered in the E4J s.R.L. VikBooking Hotel Booking Engine & PMS plugin version 1.5.11 and earlier. The vulnerability allows attackers with admin-level privileges to store malicious scripts that can be executed in the context of a user's session.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24396

The impact of this vulnerability is classified as CAPEC-592 Stored XSS, with a CVSSv3.1 base score of 5.9 (Medium severity). The attack complexity is low, but high privileges are required for exploitation, and user interaction is necessary. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system are all rated as low.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24396

In this section, we will delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is an authorization (admin+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw in the E4J s.R.L. VikBooking Hotel Booking Engine & PMS plugin version 1.5.11 and earlier. Attackers can exploit this issue to inject and execute malicious scripts within the application.

Affected Systems and Versions

The CVE-2023-24396 affects the VikBooking Hotel Booking Engine & PMS plugin version 1.5.11 and custom versions earlier than or equal to 1.5.11.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs admin-level privileges to store malicious scripts via the plugin. These scripts can then execute in the context of a user's session, potentially leading to further attacks.

Mitigation and Prevention

This section focuses on the immediate steps to take to secure the affected systems, long-term security practices, and patching recommendations.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are advised to update the VikBooking plugin to version 1.5.12 or a higher version to mitigate the vulnerability. Additionally, restricting admin privileges and monitoring user inputs can help prevent XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, conducting regular security audits, and providing security awareness training to users can enhance the overall security posture of WordPress sites using the VikBooking plugin.

Patching and Updates

Regularly applying security patches, staying informed about plugin vulnerabilities, and keeping software up to date are crucial steps in maintaining a secure WordPress environment and preventing XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-24396.