CVE-2024-9544 in MapSVG Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/22/2025
The MapSVG plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via SVG File uploads in all versions up to, and including, 8.6.4 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 the SVG file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-9544 affects the MapSVG plugin for WordPress, specifically targeting versions up to and including 8.6.4. This represents a critical security flaw that exploits the plugin's insufficient input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms when processing SVG file uploads. The vulnerability is classified as a stored cross-site scripting vulnerability, meaning that malicious scripts injected into SVG files are permanently stored on the server and executed whenever users access these files. The attack vector requires authenticated access with Contributor-level privileges or higher, which significantly reduces the attack surface but still poses a serious risk to WordPress installations that allow such user roles to upload content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the plugin's failure to properly validate and sanitize SVG file content before storing it in the WordPress database. When users with sufficient privileges upload SVG files, the system does not adequately filter or escape potentially malicious script content that may be embedded within the SVG markup. This allows attackers to embed javascript code within SVG elements that will execute in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected pages. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because SVG files are commonly used for maps and graphical content, making them frequently accessed by various user roles within WordPress environments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a persistent threat that can affect any user who accesses pages containing the compromised SVG files. The stored nature of the XSS payload means that the malicious code will execute every time any user views the affected content, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges within the WordPress environment, particularly if they can gain access to administrators or editors who might upload additional malicious content. The impact extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable more sophisticated attacks including data exfiltration, malware delivery, and complete compromise of user sessions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of the MapSVG plugin where the vulnerability has been patched, restricting upload capabilities for users with Contributor-level access, and implementing content security policies to limit script execution in SVG contexts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws, and follows ATT&CK techniques related to malicious file execution and privilege escalation through web application vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual SVG file uploads and potential script injection attempts, while administrators should conduct thorough audits of existing SVG content to identify any potentially compromised files. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and output escaping mechanisms at the application level will provide defense-in-depth against similar vulnerabilities in the future.