CVE-2024-4314 identifies a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the prasunsen Hostel plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.1.5.3. The vulnerability stems from missing or incorrect nonce validation during room management operations, such as creating or deleting rooms. Nonces in WordPress are security tokens used to verify that requests originate from legitimate users and prevent unauthorized actions. The absence or improper implementation of nonce checks allows attackers to craft malicious requests that, when executed by an authenticated site administrator (typically via clicking a specially crafted link), result in unauthorized changes to the site’s room data. This attack vector does not require the attacker to be authenticated or have prior access, relying instead on social engineering to induce user interaction. The vulnerability impacts the integrity of the affected WordPress site by enabling unauthorized modifications to room data but does not compromise confidentiality or availability. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.3 reflects a medium severity level, with metrics indicating network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and unchanged scope. No patches or official fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability is cataloged under CWE-352, a common web security weakness related to CSRF attacks. Given the widespread use of WordPress and the niche but critical function of the Hostel plugin in managing accommodation data, this vulnerability poses a tangible risk to websites in the hospitality domain that rely on this plugin for operational management.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-4314 is on the integrity of websites using the prasunsen Hostel WordPress plugin. Attackers can manipulate room data by creating or deleting rooms without authorization, potentially disrupting business operations, causing data inconsistencies, and undermining trust in the site’s management system. While confidentiality and availability are not directly affected, the unauthorized modification of room listings could lead to operational confusion, financial loss, or reputational damage for hospitality providers. Additionally, successful exploitation requires tricking an administrator into clicking a malicious link, which could be leveraged as part of a broader social engineering campaign. Organizations relying on this plugin may face increased risk of targeted attacks, especially if attackers combine this vulnerability with other weaknesses to escalate privileges or gain further access. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current exploitation, but the ease of attack and potential impact warrant proactive mitigation. The vulnerability could also be used to deface or disrupt booking systems, indirectly affecting customer experience and revenue.

To mitigate CVE-2024-4314, organizations should immediately verify whether they use the prasunsen Hostel plugin and identify the affected versions (up to 1.1.5.3). Since no official patch is currently linked, administrators should implement manual nonce validation for all room management actions within the plugin code to ensure requests are legitimate. This involves adding proper WordPress nonce checks and verifying them server-side before processing any create or delete room requests. Additionally, administrators should be trained to recognize and avoid clicking suspicious links, especially those received via email or social media, to reduce the risk of social engineering exploitation. Employing web application firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious CSRF attempts targeting the plugin’s endpoints can provide an additional layer of defense. Monitoring logs for unusual room management activity and restricting administrative access to trusted networks or VPNs can further reduce risk. Finally, organizations should stay alert for official patches or updates from the plugin vendor and apply them promptly once available.