CVE-2026-115953 in Geo Mashup Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in Dylan Kuhn Geo Mashup geo-mashup allows Stored XSS.This issue affects Geo Mashup: from n/a through 1.13.22.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2026
The identified security flaw represents a classic instance of Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation, commonly known as Cross-Site Scripting or XSS. Specifically, this vulnerability manifests as a Stored XSS within the Geo Mashup plugin for WordPress, developed by Dylan Kuhn. Unlike reflected XSS attacks where malicious scripts are executed immediately via a crafted URL, stored vulnerabilities persist on the target server. In this context, an attacker can inject malicious JavaScript code into data fields that are subsequently saved in the application's database or file storage. When other users or administrators later view the affected content, the browser retrieves and executes the embedded script within their session context. This specific issue affects versions of Geo Mashup ranging from no version limit up through 1.13.22, indicating a long-standing exposure for organizations relying on these older iterations without applying subsequent patches.
From a technical perspective, the root cause lies in insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When user-supplied data is accepted by Geo Mashup, likely through map markers, location descriptions, or custom fields associated with geographic metadata, the system fails to properly sanitize special characters such as angle brackets, quotes, and ampersands before storing them. Furthermore, when this stored data is rendered back into HTML pages for display, it is outputted without adequate encoding. This allows an attacker to break out of the intended text context and inject executable script tags or event handlers like onerror or onload. The persistence of this payload means that every page load involving the compromised content serves as a trigger point for exploitation, significantly increasing the attack surface compared to transient vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its stored nature. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can achieve arbitrary code execution within the context of any user viewing the infected map or location data. This typically results in session hijacking, where the attacker steals authentication cookies and gains unauthorized access to the victim's WordPress administrative account. Once elevated privileges are obtained, the attacker can modify site content, install additional malware such as web shells for persistent backdoor access, deface the website, or use the compromised server as a pivot point for further network intrusions. Additionally, stored XSS is frequently leveraged in phishing campaigns where malicious links or forms are injected into legitimate-looking map interfaces to trick users into revealing sensitive credentials or personal information.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which defines Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation: Cross-site Scripting. It also maps directly to the MITRE ATT&CK framework under technique T1059, specifically subtechnique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution in web browsers. The attack vector falls under Initial Access via Spearphishing Attachment or Valid Accounts if an authenticated user is tricked into viewing malicious content, and it facilitates Credential Access through Browser Cookie Stealing. Defense-in-depth strategies are essential to mitigate this risk. Immediate remediation requires upgrading Geo Mashup to a version newer than 1.13.22 where the developer has implemented proper input sanitization using functions like wp_kses or esc_html, and output encoding appropriate for HTML contexts.
Beyond patching, organizations should implement Web Application Firewalls configured with rulesets capable of detecting and blocking XSS payloads in HTTP requests and responses. Input validation policies must enforce strict allow-lists for expected data formats rather than relying solely on blocklists for dangerous characters. Additionally, enabling Content Security Policy headers can restrict the sources from which scripts are allowed to execute, thereby mitigating the impact even if a script injection occurs. Regular security audits and static code analysis tools should be integrated into the development lifecycle to identify similar encoding flaws before deployment. For existing deployments, continuous monitoring of server logs for anomalous activity related to map data updates can help detect exploitation attempts in real time.