CVE-2025-3502 in WP Maps Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2025
The WP Maps WordPress plugin before 4.7.2 does not sanitise and escape some of its Map settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when the unfiltered_html capability is disallowed (for example in multisite setup).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-3502 affects the WP Maps WordPress plugin version 4.7.1 and earlier, presenting a critical stored cross-site scripting flaw that undermines the security posture of WordPress installations. This issue specifically targets the plugin's handling of map settings where insufficient sanitization and escaping of user input creates opportunities for malicious code execution. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows users with administrative privileges to inject malicious scripts that persist in the system and execute whenever affected pages are loaded, even in environments where the unfiltered_html capability has been restricted to prevent such attacks.
The technical flaw manifests in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize and escape map configuration parameters that are stored in the WordPress database. When administrators configure map settings through the plugin's interface, the input values are not adequately validated or escaped before being saved to the database and subsequently rendered in web pages. This creates a classic stored XSS vulnerability where malicious scripts can be injected into the plugin's settings and executed in the context of any user who views the affected pages. The vulnerability is exacerbated by the fact that it operates even when WordPress security measures such as the disallowance of unfiltered_html capability are in place, particularly in multisite configurations where such restrictions are commonly enforced to maintain security boundaries between different sites within the same network.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected WordPress administrator. This could enable attackers to escalate their privileges, modify or delete content, steal user sessions, or gain persistent access to the affected WordPress installation. In multisite environments, the implications are even more severe as compromised administrative privileges in one site could potentially be leveraged to affect other sites within the same network. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the plugin's map display features and could be exploited to target various WordPress user roles, making it a significant threat to website security and data integrity.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which describes Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and specifically relates to CWE-74 which covers Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566.001 - Phishing with Social Engineering and T1059.001 - Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell, as it provides a vector for initial access and privilege escalation through malicious script execution. Organizations should immediately update to WP Maps plugin version 4.7.2 or later to remediate this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the insufficient sanitization and escaping mechanisms in the plugin's settings handling. Additional mitigations include implementing proper input validation at multiple layers, enforcing strict content security policies, and monitoring for suspicious activity in the plugin's configuration areas. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of all installed plugins to identify similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other third-party components, ensuring that the entire WordPress ecosystem maintains adequate security controls against persistent threats.