Vulnerability Description
The WP Hotel Booking plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity in all versions up to, and including, 2.3.1. This is due to the `web_hook_process_paypal_standard()` IPN handler selecting its PayPal validation endpoint from the attacker-controlled `$_REQUEST['test_ipn']` parameter, force-upgrading any `pending` transaction to `completed` when `test_ipn=1`, and omitting post-verification checks on `receiver_email`, `mc_currency`, and `txn_id` uniqueness after receiving a `VERIFIED` response from PayPal. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to mark arbitrary hotel bookings as fully paid without submitting genuine payment to the merchant — either by routing IPN validation through PayPal's sandbox using a free sandbox account, or by replaying a previously verified IPN from a nominal payment to an attacker-controlled PayPal account. An attacker requires only a free PayPal sandbox account (or any PayPal account) to obtain a `VERIFIED` response; no site credentials or special configuration are needed.
CVSS Score
MEDIUM
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-hotel-booking/tags/2.3.0/includes/
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-hotel-booking/tags/2.3.0/includes/
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-hotel-booking/tags/2.3.0/includes/
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-hotel-booking/tags/2.3.0/includes/
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-hotel-booking/tags/2.3.1/includes/
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-hotel-booking/tags/2.3.1/includes/
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-hotel-booking/tags/2.3.1/includes/
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-hotel-booking/tags/2.3.1/includes/
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?reponame=&old=3582839%40wp-hotel-bo
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/191ec7ea-6ca7-4943-870
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-11901?
CVE-2026-11901 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.3 (MEDIUM). The WP Hotel Booking plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity in all versions up to, and including, 2.3.1. This is due to the `web_hook_process_paypal_stand...
How severe is CVE-2026-11901?
CVE-2026-11901 has been rated MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 5.3/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-11901?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.