CVE-2016-10878 in wp-google-map-plugin Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
The wp-google-map-plugin plugin before 3.1.2 for WordPress has XSS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2025
The wp-google-map-plugin vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10878 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw that affected numerous WordPress installations through a popular mapping plugin. This vulnerability specifically impacted versions prior to 3.1.2 of the wp-google-map-plugin, exposing millions of WordPress sites to potential exploitation by malicious actors who could inject arbitrary JavaScript code into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users. The flaw occurred due to insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data, creating an attack surface that allowed unauthorized code execution in the context of victims' browsers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of user input parameters within the plugin's backend processing functions. When users interacted with the plugin's mapping features, particularly through form submissions or parameter handling in the plugin's administrative interfaces, the application failed to adequately sanitize or escape user-provided content before rendering it in web responses. This classic input validation failure creates a persistent XSS vector that can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted URLs, form submissions, or even through social engineering techniques that trick users into clicking malicious links. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a common weakness in web application security where input validation mechanisms are either absent or insufficient.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, defacement of website content, and redirection to malicious sites. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to inject malicious scripts that would execute in the context of authenticated users, potentially allowing them to access administrative functions, modify website content, or harvest sensitive information from user sessions. The plugin's widespread adoption meant that this vulnerability affected not just individual websites but entire WordPress ecosystems, creating a significant risk for businesses, organizations, and individuals who relied on WordPress for their online presence. This vulnerability particularly threatened websites that used the plugin for displaying interactive maps, as these interfaces often required user interaction that could trigger the XSS payload.
Security mitigations for CVE-2016-10878 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 3.1.2 or later, which included proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive security monitoring to detect any exploitation attempts, including reviewing web server logs for suspicious requests and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to website content. Additionally, implementing Content Security Policy headers can provide an additional layer of protection by restricting the sources from which scripts can be executed on affected websites. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of keeping third-party plugins updated and maintaining robust security practices including input validation, output encoding, and regular security assessments. This case study aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages and T1566 for credential access through social engineering, highlighting how such vulnerabilities can enable broader attack chains that extend beyond initial exploitation.