CVE-2023-5991 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Hotel Booking Lite < 4.8.5 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Download & Deletion

Understanding CVE-2023-5991

This CVE identifies a security vulnerability in the Hotel Booking Lite WordPress plugin prior to version 4.8.5. The flaw allows unauthenticated users to perform arbitrary file download and deletion due to inadequate validation of file paths and lacking proper CSRF and authorization checks.

What is CVE-2023-5991?

The CVE-2023-5991 vulnerability in the Hotel Booking Lite WordPress plugin is attributed to the plugin's failure to validate file paths provided via user input adequately. Additionally, it lacks essential cross-site request forgery (CSRF) and authorization checks, enabling unauthorized users to download and delete arbitrary files on the affected server.

The Impact of CVE-2023-5991

The impact of CVE-2023-5991 is severe as it can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive files on the server, potentially exposing critical data to malicious entities. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the website using the Hotel Booking Lite plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-5991

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE vulnerability for a more comprehensive understanding.

Vulnerability Description

The Hotel Booking Lite WordPress plugin before version 4.8.5 fails to properly validate file paths provided through user input, exposing the server to unauthenticated users who can perform arbitrary file download and deletion. Additionally, the plugin lacks essential CSRF and authorization controls, further exacerbating the security risk.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability impacts the Hotel Booking Lite WordPress plugin versions prior to 4.8.5. Users utilizing versions earlier than the mentioned one are susceptible to the unauthenticated arbitrary file download and deletion exploit.

Exploitation Mechanism

By exploiting the inadequate path validation and lack of CSRF and authorization checks in the Hotel Booking Lite plugin, malicious actors can send specially crafted requests to download or delete arbitrary files on the server without proper authentication, thereby compromising the server's security.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address the CVE-2023-5991 vulnerability and enhance overall WordPress plugin security, users and administrators can take the following mitigation and prevention steps.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update: Ensure that the Hotel Booking Lite plugin is updated to version 4.8.5 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Access Control: Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms to prevent unauthorized file operations on the server.
Security Plugins: Consider using security plugins that offer additional layers of protection against file-related exploits.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins.
User Input Validation: Implement robust user input validation mechanisms to prevent path traversal and CSRF attacks.
Security Training: Provide security awareness training to users and administrators to educate them on best practices for securing WordPress installations.

Patching and Updates

Stay vigilant for security updates released by plugin developers and promptly apply patches to ensure the latest security fixes are in place. Regularly updating plugins to their latest versions is crucial in mitigating known vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-5991.