CVE-2014-4587 in Wp Guestmap Project
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the WP GuestMap plugin 1.8 and earlier for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the (1) zl, (2) mt, or (3) dc parameter to guest-locator.php; the (4) zl, (5) mt, (6) activate, or (7) dc parameter to online-tracker.php; the (8) zl, (9) mt, or (10) dc parameter to stats-map.php; or the (11) zl, (12) mt, (13) activate, or (14) dc parameter to weather-map.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/11/2019
The CVE-2014-4587 vulnerability represents a significant cross-site scripting flaw in the WP GuestMap plugin for WordPress, affecting versions 1.8 and earlier. This vulnerability exposes WordPress sites to remote code execution risks through multiple entry points within the plugin's core functionality. The flaw manifests when user-supplied parameters are not properly sanitized or validated before being rendered in web pages, creating persistent XSS attack vectors that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication. The vulnerability impacts four distinct PHP files within the plugin's architecture, each serving different mapping and tracking functionalities including guest location tracking, online visitor monitoring, statistical mapping, and weather data visualization.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding practices within the WordPress plugin's codebase. Attackers can manipulate the zl, mt, dc, and activate parameters across multiple endpoints to inject malicious JavaScript code or HTML content that gets executed in the context of other users' browsers. This occurs because the plugin fails to properly escape or filter user input before incorporating it into dynamic web page content, directly violating secure coding principles and common security guidelines. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 as a failure to sanitize user input, specifically manifesting as reflected cross-site scripting where malicious payloads are reflected back to users through the application's response. The attack vectors span across multiple parameters and files, indicating a systemic code quality issue rather than isolated implementation errors.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4587 extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potential privilege escalation opportunities. Once exploited, attackers can hijack user sessions, steal cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands on affected systems. The vulnerability affects the core WordPress ecosystem and can be leveraged to establish persistent backdoors or to conduct further reconnaissance activities against the target network. Given that WordPress powers over 30% of websites globally, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability is extensive, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on WordPress platforms. The impact is further amplified by the fact that many WordPress installations may not have proper security monitoring in place to detect such injection attempts, allowing attackers to maintain access undetected for extended periods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4587 require immediate action including updating the WP GuestMap plugin to version 1.9 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation at multiple layers including web application firewalls, server-side sanitization, and proper output encoding techniques. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the plugin only has necessary permissions and that user inputs are strictly validated before processing. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual parameter patterns and injection attempts, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other installed plugins. Additionally, implementing content security policies and using secure coding practices such as parameterized queries and proper input sanitization can significantly reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider using automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify and remediate similar issues across their entire WordPress ecosystem. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping third-party plugins updated and maintaining comprehensive security hygiene practices within WordPress environments, aligning with ATT&CK framework techniques related to credential access and persistence through web application exploitation.