CVE-2024-7112 identifies a critical SQL Injection vulnerability in the Pinpoint Booking System plugin for WordPress, a widely used booking management tool. The flaw exists due to improper neutralization of special elements in SQL commands, specifically within the 'schedule' parameter, which is insufficiently escaped and lacks proper query preparation. This vulnerability allows authenticated users with minimal privileges (Subscriber-level and above) to append arbitrary SQL queries to existing database commands. Exploiting this can lead to unauthorized data disclosure, modification, or deletion within the WordPress database, impacting sensitive information such as user data, booking details, and site configurations. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without user interaction beyond authentication, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 score of 8.8 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with low attack complexity and network vector. Although no public exploits are currently known, the vulnerability's nature and ease of exploitation make it a significant threat. The lack of available patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate attention from site administrators to implement compensating controls or monitor for suspicious activity.

The exploitation of CVE-2024-7112 can have severe consequences for organizations using the Pinpoint Booking System plugin. Attackers can extract sensitive data from the database, including personal user information, booking records, and potentially administrative credentials. This compromises confidentiality and may lead to privacy violations or regulatory non-compliance. The integrity of the database can be undermined by unauthorized modifications or deletions, disrupting business operations and trustworthiness of the booking system. Availability may also be affected if attackers execute destructive queries or cause database corruption. Since the vulnerability requires only low-privilege authenticated access, insider threats or compromised accounts can be leveraged to escalate damage. The widespread use of WordPress and this popular plugin means a large attack surface exists globally, increasing the risk of targeted attacks on hospitality, event management, and service industries relying on this software.

To mitigate CVE-2024-7112, organizations should immediately update the Pinpoint Booking System plugin once an official patch is released by the vendor. Until then, administrators should restrict Subscriber-level user capabilities to the minimum necessary and monitor logs for unusual SQL query patterns or database errors indicative of injection attempts. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with custom rules to detect and block SQL injection payloads targeting the 'schedule' parameter can provide interim protection. Employing database query parameterization and input validation at the application level is critical; if possible, apply custom code fixes to sanitize inputs before they reach the database. Regularly audit user accounts to remove or disable unnecessary low-privilege users to reduce attack vectors. Additionally, maintain frequent backups of the database to enable recovery in case of data tampering or loss. Monitoring for anomalous database access patterns and integrating intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts early.