CVE-2015-2755 in Google Map Trave
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the AB Google Map Travel (AB-MAP) plugin before 4.0 for WordPress allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of administrators for requests that conduct cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks via the (1) lat (Latitude), (2) long (Longitude), (3) map_width, (4) map_height, or (5) zoom (Map Zoom) parameter in the ab_map_options page to wp-admin/admin.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/27/2024
The CVE-2015-2755 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw within the AB Google Map Travel plugin for WordPress systems. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 4.0 and exposes administrators to sophisticated attack vectors that can compromise the entire WordPress installation. The vulnerability specifically targets the ab_map_options page located at wp-admin/admin.php, where attackers can manipulate five distinct parameters including latitude, longitude, map width, map height, and zoom settings to execute malicious operations.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper anti-CSRF mechanisms when processing administrative requests. Attackers can craft malicious requests that appear to originate from authenticated administrators, exploiting the trust relationship between the browser and the WordPress admin interface. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it combines CSRF with XSS capabilities, allowing attackers to not only hijack administrator sessions but also inject malicious scripts into the target system. This dual nature makes the vulnerability significantly more dangerous than typical CSRF flaws that only enable unauthorized actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple session hijacking, as it creates a pathway for persistent malicious activity within WordPress environments. Administrators who visit malicious websites or are tricked into clicking compromised links can unknowingly execute administrative actions that modify map settings and inject XSS payloads. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets the core administrative functionality of WordPress, potentially allowing attackers to modify plugin configurations, inject malicious code, or even escalate privileges within the WordPress ecosystem. This vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and undermines the security model of WordPress administration.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses cross-site request forgery weaknesses in web applications. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient session management practices that are commonly exploited in enterprise environments. Organizations using affected versions of the AB Google Map Travel plugin should immediately implement mitigations including updating to version 4.0 or later, implementing proper CSRF tokens for all administrative requests, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed plugins. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious administrative requests that could indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, making it a critical concern for organizations following established security frameworks.