WP Hotel Booking widget_search shortcode attribute permits stored XSS
WP Hotel Booking through 2.3.2 lets a Contributor store an attacker-controlled widget_search attribute in the hotel_booking shortcode. WPHB_Shortcode_Hotel_Booking::add_shortcode() passes the attribute into the search template, which writes it unescaped into the hidden widget-search input's value attribute. The payload requires a browser and access-key combination that activates the hidden control, but can then execute in a visitor's session.
- Component
- WP Hotel Booking
- Plugin slug
wp-hotel-booking- Affected
- <= 2.3.2
- Safe version
2.3.3- Published
- Jul 24, 2026
This CVE was published Jul 24, 2026 and is one of 23 known issues for this plugin.
Update, patch or deactivate.
Update WP Hotel Booking to 2.3.3 or later. The fixed search template escapes widget_search with esc_attr() before placing it in the hidden input. Remove untrusted widget_search values from existing hotel_booking shortcodes.
A safe version is available, so updating to that version or later is the preferred remediation. If an immediate update is not practical, consider a targeted application patch or temporarily restricting the affected functionality.
Deactivate only when warranted by your risk profile, or when advised by your hosting provider in the limited circumstances where the vulnerability cannot otherwise be mitigated. If you’re unsure which action is appropriate, contact Fused or your hosting provider for guidance.
Technical description
The WP Hotel Booking plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'widget_search' Shortcode Attribute in all versions up to, and including, 2.3.2 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page. This is only exploitable on browsers where access keys can be used as the payload is stored in a hidden attribute.
CVE / CNA vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N