CVE-2023-24402 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE-2023-24402 pertains to a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability found in the WordPress WP Booking System plugin version 2.0.18 and below. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in a victim's browser, potentially leading to unauthorized actions being taken on behalf of the user.

Understanding CVE-2023-24402

CVE-2023-24402 is a security vulnerability identified in the WP Booking System – Booking Calendar plugin by Veribo, Roland Murg. The vulnerability specifically involves an Authenticated (admin+) Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) issue.

What is CVE-2023-24402?

The CVE-2023-24402 vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. In the context of WP Booking System – Booking Calendar plugin, this could result in unauthorized script execution on the user's browser, potentially leading to data theft or manipulation.

The Impact of CVE-2023-24402

The impact of CVE-2023-24402 is categorized as medium severity with a CVSS base score of 5.9. An attacker with high privileges (admin+) can exploit this vulnerability to carry out malicious actions, affecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-24402

The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79: Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting'). Attackers can exploit this vulnerability remotely with a low attack complexity, requiring user interaction and high privileges to execute the attack.

Vulnerability Description

The Authenticated Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the WP Booking System – Booking Calendar plugin version 2.0.18 and below allows attackers to execute arbitrary scripts in an admin+ user context.

Affected Systems and Versions

Plugin: WP Booking System – Booking Calendar
Vendor: Veribo, Roland Murg
Vulnerable Versions: <= 2.0.18

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious scripts through specially crafted input fields, potentially leading to unauthorized script execution.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2023-24402, immediate steps should be taken to mitigate the risk and prevent potential exploitation.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update WP Booking System – Booking Calendar plugin to version 2.0.18.1 or higher to eliminate the vulnerability.
Implement proper input validation and output encoding to mitigate XSS attacks.
Regularly monitor and audit web application code for security vulnerabilities.

Long-Term Security Practices

Stay informed about security updates and vulnerabilities related to plugins and third-party components.
Educate users and developers about the risks of XSS attacks and best practices for secure coding.
Utilize Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to detect and block malicious scripts in real-time.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for plugin updates and apply patches promptly to address known security vulnerabilities.
Consider implementing automatic update mechanisms to ensure timely deployment of security fixes.