CVE-2014-7182 in Wordpress Google Maps Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in the WP Google Maps plugin before 6.0.27 for WordPress allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the poly_id parameter in an (1) edit_poly, (2) edit_polyline, or (3) edit_marker action in the wp-google-maps-menu page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2024
The CVE-2014-7182 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the WP Google Maps plugin for WordPress, affecting versions prior to 6.0.27. This vulnerability resides within the administrative interface of the plugin and specifically targets the handling of user-supplied input parameters. The flaw manifests when the plugin processes requests containing the poly_id parameter through three distinct action endpoints: edit_poly, edit_polyline, and edit_marker. These actions are part of the wp-google-maps-menu page structure that operates within the WordPress wp-admin/admin.php administrative environment, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it targets privileged administrative interfaces where attackers can potentially gain significant control over the affected WordPress installation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's administrative code. When an attacker crafts a malicious request containing specially formatted poly_id parameter values, the plugin fails to properly sanitize this input before incorporating it into dynamic HTML output within the administrative interface. This allows malicious scripts to be executed within the context of an authenticated administrator's browser session, enabling attackers to perform actions with the privileges of the compromised administrator. The vulnerability specifically falls under CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting flaws as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding, where the application fails to properly escape or validate user-supplied data before rendering it in web pages.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code within the administrative context of the WordPress installation. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can manipulate the plugin's administrative features, modify map data, potentially gain access to sensitive configuration information, and in some cases, execute additional attacks such as privilege escalation or data exfiltration. The vulnerability's reach is amplified by the fact that it operates within the wp-admin area, which typically requires authentication, meaning that successful exploitation would allow attackers to perform administrative actions that could compromise the entire WordPress installation, including the ability to modify or delete content, install malicious plugins, or even take complete control of the website. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in environments where multiple administrators have access to the system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7182 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to version 6.0.27 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization of the poly_id parameter. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular security audits of installed plugins, maintaining up-to-date WordPress core and plugin versions, and implementing proper input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the ATT&CK framework's mitigation strategies for web application vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious administrative requests, and conducting regular penetration testing to identify similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or custom code. Access controls should be strictly enforced, and administrators should be educated about the risks of clicking on untrusted links or visiting compromised websites that could lead to exploitation of such vulnerabilities.