CVE-2023-5050 in Leaflet Map Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
The Leaflet Map plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via shortcodes in versions up to, and including, 3.3.0 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers with contributor level and above permissions to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-5050 affects the Leaflet Map plugin for WordPress, a widely used mapping solution that integrates interactive maps into WordPress websites. This plugin allows users to embed maps using shortcodes, making it a popular choice for businesses and content creators who need geographic data visualization. The issue resides in the plugin's handling of user input through shortcode parameters, where insufficient sanitization and output escaping mechanisms fail to properly validate or encode potentially malicious content. The vulnerability specifically impacts versions up to and including 3.3.0, indicating that the developers have not yet addressed this security flaw in their codebase. The stored nature of this cross-site scripting vulnerability means that malicious scripts are permanently stored within the WordPress database rather than being executed only during a single request, making the attack more persistent and dangerous. Authentication requirements for exploitation are relatively low, as attackers only need contributor-level permissions or higher, which is concerning since contributors can typically edit their own posts and pages within WordPress.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-provided parameters when processing shortcode attributes. When administrators or contributors create map shortcodes with potentially malicious input, the plugin does not adequately filter or escape these inputs before storing them in the database. This creates a scenario where any user with contributor privileges or above can inject malicious JavaScript code into shortcode parameters. The vulnerability operates through the standard XSS attack vector where stored scripts are executed whenever a user accesses a page containing the malicious shortcode. This behavior aligns with CWE-79, which describes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities that occur when web applications fail to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into dynamic web pages. The impact is particularly severe because the attacker only needs to be able to create or edit content, which is often granted to trusted users within WordPress sites, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a variety of malicious activities against users of affected WordPress sites. Once a malicious script is stored in the database, it will execute in the context of any user who accesses a page containing the compromised shortcode, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious websites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that the attack persists even after the initial injection, creating a long-term threat that can affect multiple users over time. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate their privileges within the WordPress environment, steal administrative credentials, or deploy additional malware through the compromised site. The vulnerability also affects the overall trust and security posture of WordPress installations, as it demonstrates that even seemingly benign plugins can contain critical security flaws. This type of attack aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which involves the exploitation of web applications through the injection of malicious code, and represents a significant risk to organizations relying on WordPress for their web presence.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately update to the latest version of the Leaflet Map plugin where the security flaw has been addressed. The recommended mitigation strategy involves implementing a comprehensive patch management process that includes regular monitoring of plugin updates and security advisories from WordPress.org. Administrators should also consider implementing additional security measures such as input validation at the web application firewall level, regular security audits of plugin installations, and monitoring for suspicious shortcode usage within the WordPress admin interface. Role-based access control should be strictly enforced, limiting contributor privileges to only necessary functions and regularly reviewing user permissions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input sanitization and output escaping practices in web application development, as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Organizations should also consider implementing Content Security Policy headers to provide an additional layer of protection against XSS attacks, though this mitigation is secondary to the primary fix of updating the vulnerable plugin. Regular security assessments of all installed plugins and themes are essential to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.