CVE-2024-56240 in Google Maps Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 01/02/2025
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Pronamic Pronamic Google Maps allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Pronamic Google Maps: from n/a through 2.3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Pronamic Google Maps plugin that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by users. The issue manifests as a stored XSS vulnerability, meaning that malicious code injected by an attacker persists in the application's database and executes whenever affected pages are loaded. The vulnerability specifically affects versions of the Pronamic Google Maps plugin ranging from the initial release through version 2.3.2, indicating a widespread exposure across multiple iterations of the software. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79 which categorizes improper neutralization of input during web page generation as a fundamental web application security weakness. The stored nature of this XSS vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous as it can affect multiple users over time rather than requiring individual exploitation for each visitor.
The technical flaw occurs when the plugin fails to properly sanitize or escape user input before rendering it in HTML output contexts. Attackers can exploit this by submitting malicious payloads through input fields or parameters that are then stored in the plugin's database and subsequently displayed on web pages without proper HTML escaping. This creates an environment where scripts can execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially allowing attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions, or redirect users to malicious sites. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that it affects a widely used WordPress plugin, making it a prime target for automated exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a web application vulnerability that can be leveraged for initial access or privilege escalation through user interaction with maliciously crafted content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent footholds within affected environments. When users with administrative privileges view pages containing the stored malicious content, attackers may gain elevated privileges or access to sensitive data. The vulnerability affects the plugin's ability to safely process user-generated content, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation if proper input validation is not implemented. Organizations running affected versions of the Pronamic Google Maps plugin face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential compromise of their web applications. The stored nature of the vulnerability means that even if administrators later patch the issue, previously injected malicious code continues to execute until manually removed from the database.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of the affected plugin to version 2.3.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and output escaping mechanisms to prevent similar vulnerabilities in custom code. Database administrators should conduct thorough audits of affected installations to identify and remove any malicious content that may have already been injected. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and content security policies can provide additional layers of protection against XSS attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization and output encoding practices as outlined in OWASP's top ten security risks, particularly in web applications where user input is processed and rendered to end users. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues across the entire application stack.