CVE-2024-9028 in WP GPX Maps Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/25/2024
The WP GPX Maps plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's 'sgpx' shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.08 due to insufficient input sanitization and output escaping on user supplied attributes. 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.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/09/2025
The WP GPX Maps plugin for WordPress presents a significant security vulnerability classified as stored cross-site scripting that affects versions through 1.7.08. This flaw resides within the plugin's 'sgpx' shortcode implementation where user-supplied attributes undergo inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated attackers who possess contributor-level access or higher privileges within the WordPress environment, creating a dangerous attack vector that can persistently compromise user sessions and data integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input parameters passed through the 'sgpx' shortcode. When administrators or contributors embed malicious scripts within the shortcode attributes, these inputs are stored within the WordPress database and subsequently executed whenever legitimate users access pages containing the compromised shortcode. This represents a classic stored XSS attack pattern where the malicious payload is permanently embedded in the application's data storage rather than being reflected in a single request. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-79 which defines cross-site scripting as the failure to properly escape output data, allowing attackers to inject client-side scripts into web pages viewed by other users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risk to WordPress installations utilizing the WP GPX Maps plugin, particularly those with multiple user roles where contributor-level accounts exist. The attack scenario involves an authenticated attacker leveraging their privileges to inject malicious JavaScript code through the shortcode interface, which then executes in the browsers of unsuspecting users who visit pages containing the compromised content. This could enable attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or even execute more sophisticated attacks such as credential theft or privilege escalation within the WordPress environment.
The impact extends beyond immediate script execution as this vulnerability can facilitate persistent security breaches that may remain undetected for extended periods. Since the malicious code is stored in the database, it continues to affect users until manually removed or the plugin is updated, creating a long-term threat vector that can be exploited repeatedly. This stored nature of the vulnerability also means that the attack can potentially be amplified through social engineering tactics where attackers convince contributors to inject malicious content into shared pages or posts. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566 which covers social engineering through malicious content injection, and T1059 which encompasses the execution of malicious code through command and scripting interpreters.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to the latest plugin version where this vulnerability has been addressed, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied attributes within the shortcode functionality, and conducting thorough security audits of existing content to identify any previously injected malicious scripts. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing role-based access controls to limit contributor privileges where possible, and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual content modifications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input sanitization and output escaping in web applications, particularly when handling user-generated content that will be rendered in web browsers.