CVE-2017-17744 in custom-map Plugin
Summary
by MITRE
A cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the custom-map plugin through 1.1 for WordPress allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the map_id parameter to view/advancedsettings.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17744 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the custom-map plugin version 1.1 for WordPress systems. This security weakness resides in the plugin's handling of user-supplied input within the advancedsettings.php file, specifically targeting the map_id parameter. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious web scripts or HTML code within the context of affected WordPress installations, potentially compromising user sessions and data integrity.
This vulnerability manifests as a classic input validation issue where the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user-provided parameters before incorporating them into dynamic web content. The map_id parameter serves as the attack vector, allowing malicious actors to inject crafted payloads that persist within the application's response. When legitimate users access the affected page, their browsers execute the injected scripts, creating a persistent threat that can compromise user accounts, steal session cookies, or redirect users to malicious sites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform session hijacking, deface websites, or establish persistent backdoors within WordPress environments. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely without authentication, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress administrators who may not immediately detect the compromise. This type of vulnerability directly aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw that allows attackers to execute malicious scripts in the victim's browser.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments or links. The attack surface is particularly concerning for WordPress environments where plugins often have elevated privileges and access to sensitive data. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper output encoding and parameter sanitization within web applications.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of the custom-map plugin, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter values, and conducting thorough security audits of all installed WordPress plugins. Additionally, administrators should enforce strict input validation policies and implement Content Security Policy headers to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts. The vulnerability underscores the critical need for regular security patching and the importance of maintaining comprehensive inventory of all web application components to prevent similar issues in the future.