CVE-2023-2899 in Google Map Shortcode Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2023
The Google Map Shortcode WordPress plugin through 3.1.2 does not validate and escape some of its shortcode attributes before outputting them back in the page, which could allow users with a role as low as contributor to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks which could be used against high privilege users such as admin
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2899 affects the Google Map Shortcode WordPress plugin version 3.1.2 and earlier, representing a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode implementation, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by relatively low-privilege users within the WordPress environment.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize shortcode attributes before rendering them in HTML output contexts. Specifically, when contributors or users with similar roles insert malicious payloads through the plugin's shortcode parameters, these inputs are stored in the WordPress database and subsequently executed whenever the affected page is rendered. This stored XSS vulnerability operates through the plugin's shortcode processing logic where user-supplied attributes are directly embedded into HTML markup without adequate sanitization measures. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to craft malicious shortcodes that execute arbitrary JavaScript code in the contexts of high-privilege users such as administrators, enabling potential privilege escalation and complete compromise of the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it provides attackers with persistent access vectors that can be leveraged for various malicious activities. High-privilege users who view pages containing the malicious shortcodes become victims of the stored XSS attack, potentially exposing sensitive administrative functions, session cookies, and other confidential data. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require authentication for the initial payload injection, as contributors typically have sufficient permissions to add or modify content through the WordPress interface. This makes the attack surface particularly wide, as any user with contributor-level access can potentially compromise the entire site's security. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even if the initial attacker loses access, the malicious code continues to execute against any user who views the affected content, creating a persistent threat vector.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2899 should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the XSS vulnerability, as this represents the most effective defense against the specific flaw. Organizations should also implement additional security measures including input validation at multiple layers, output escaping for all user-supplied content, and regular security audits of installed plugins and themes. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes cross-site scripting flaws, and may be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1548.005 for privilege escalation through malicious code execution. Administrators should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts, and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous shortcode usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of WordPress installations and their plugins are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, as this flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and output sanitization in web applications.