CVE-2024-13565 in Simple Map No Api Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/18/2025
The Simple Map No Api plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the ‘width’ parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.9 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, 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 • 02/18/2025
The Simple Map No Api plugin for WordPress presents a significant security vulnerability classified as CVE-2024-13565, which affects all versions up to and including 1.9. This vulnerability manifests as a stored cross-site scripting flaw that exploits the 'width' parameter within the plugin's functionality. The issue resides in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user inputs and escape output data before rendering it within web pages, creating a persistent security risk that can be exploited by malicious actors with relatively low privileges.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the plugin's codebase where the 'width' parameter is accepted without proper sanitization processes. This parameter is likely used to define map display dimensions and is processed through user-facing interfaces that allow contributors and higher-level users to modify plugin configurations. When malicious input is submitted through this parameter, it bypasses the plugin's security controls and gets stored within the WordPress database, making it persistent across user sessions and page views.
Attackers with Contributor-level access or higher can leverage this vulnerability to inject arbitrary web scripts into pages that will execute whenever any user accesses the affected content. This stored XSS vulnerability operates by embedding malicious JavaScript code within the width parameter value, which gets executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view pages containing the compromised data. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can affect any user who accesses the compromised pages, regardless of their role or permissions within the WordPress installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and redirection to malicious websites. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that once injected, the malicious code persists until manually removed from the database, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for websites where contributors have elevated privileges or where the plugin is widely used across multiple user roles.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and potentially CWE-20 which covers input validation issues. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving command and control communications and credential access through web application exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates a common pattern where plugin developers fail to implement proper input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms, creating persistent security risks that can be exploited through user interaction with compromised content.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate plugin updates to versions that address the stored XSS vulnerability, while also implementing additional security measures such as restricting contributor privileges to prevent unauthorized plugin modifications. Database-level input validation and output escaping should be enforced at multiple layers to prevent similar issues in other plugin components. Regular security audits of WordPress plugins and implementation of web application firewalls can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing content security policies to limit the execution of unauthorized scripts within their WordPress environments, reducing the potential impact of such stored XSS vulnerabilities.