CVE-2023-51301
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to send unlimited password reset requests for legitimate users in PHPJabbers Hotel Booking System v4.0, potentially causing denial of service through email spam. Any organization using this specific version of the hotel booking system is affected. The attack requires no authentication and can target any user with an email address in the system.
💻 Affected Systems
- PHPJabbers Hotel Booking System
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete email system disruption for targeted users, potential email server overload, and service unavailability for legitimate password reset requests.
Likely Case
Targeted users receive hundreds of password reset emails, causing inbox flooding and temporary inability to access legitimate emails.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper rate limiting, where only a few reset emails can be sent per user within a time window.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires only basic HTTP request knowledge and can be automated with simple scripts. No special tools or advanced skills needed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Version 4.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.phpjabbers.com/hotel-booking-system/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download latest version from PHPJabbers website. 2. Backup current installation. 3. Replace vulnerable files with patched version. 4. Test functionality. No server restart required.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) Rules
allConfigure WAF to rate limit requests to the forgot email endpoint
Modify Application Code
phpAdd rate limiting logic to the forgot email function in PHP code
// Add session-based or IP-based request counting with time limits
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network-level rate limiting at firewall or load balancer for requests to /index.php?controller=pjUser&action=pjActionForgot
- Monitor email server logs for unusual volume of password reset emails and implement alerting
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test by sending multiple consecutive POST requests to the forgot email endpoint without delay and check if all generate emailsCheck Version:
Check admin panel or view source code for version information, typically in footer or configuration filesVerify Fix Applied:
After patching, attempt same test - only first request should succeed, subsequent requests should be blocked or delayed📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Multiple POST requests to pjActionForgot from same IP in short timeframe
- Unusual volume of password reset email generation in mail logs
Network Indicators:
- High frequency of requests to /index.php?controller=pjUser&action=pjActionForgot
- Pattern of repeated forgot password attempts
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="/index.php?controller=pjUser&action=pjActionForgot" | stats count by src_ip | where count > 5