CVE-2023-5658 in WP MapIt Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/07/2023
The WP MapIt plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'wp_mapit' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 2.7.1 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. 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 • 04/11/2026
The WP MapIt plugin vulnerability represents a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that affects WordPress environments where this plugin is installed. This vulnerability exists within the plugin's 'wp_mapit' shortcode implementation and impacts all versions up to and including 2.7.1, making it a widespread concern for WordPress administrators who have not yet updated their installations. The flaw stems from inadequate input sanitization and insufficient output escaping mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied attributes before processing them within the shortcode functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level permissions or higher within the WordPress environment. These attackers can leverage the insufficient sanitization to inject malicious JavaScript code into the plugin's shortcode parameters, which then gets stored within the WordPress database. When other users access pages containing the compromised shortcode, their browsers execute the injected scripts in the context of their own sessions, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further malicious activities. This stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code persists until manually removed from the database or until the plugin is updated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. The attacker can manipulate the behavior of legitimate users by executing scripts that modify page content, redirect users to malicious sites, steal cookies and session data, or even perform actions on behalf of the victim. The vulnerability particularly affects WordPress sites where contributors or higher-level users have access to the shortcode functionality, making it a significant concern for sites with collaborative editing environments or user-generated content features.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic case of insufficient input validation combined with inadequate output sanitization. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving command and control communication and credential access, as attackers can use the stored XSS to establish persistent access to user sessions and potentially escalate privileges within the WordPress environment. The attack vector specifically relates to T1566.001 for the initial compromise through web application vulnerabilities and T1078.004 for legitimate credentials usage through session hijacking.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate plugin updates to versions that address the sanitization issues, with administrators ensuring that all WordPress installations maintain current plugin versions. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's shortcode processing functions would prevent future occurrences of similar issues. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security audits and monitoring of user activities can help detect unauthorized modifications to content. Organizations should also consider implementing role-based access controls to limit the permissions of users who have access to shortcode functionality, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation.