CVE-2026-115954 in Geo Mashup Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/26/2026
Missing Authorization vulnerability in Dylan Kuhn Geo Mashup geo-mashup allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.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 critical failure in access control mechanisms within the Geo Mashup plugin for WordPress, specifically affecting versions ranging from initial releases up to version 1.13.22. This vulnerability is classified as an improper authorization issue where the application fails to enforce appropriate restrictions on authenticated users or unauthenticated actors regarding specific administrative functions or data manipulation capabilities. In web applications, particularly those built on content management systems like WordPress, proper separation of duties and strict enforcement of role-based access controls are fundamental security principles. The absence of these checks allows attackers who may have low-privileged accounts or even no authentication at all to perform actions that should be restricted to administrators or specific authorized roles. This type of flaw is commonly associated with CWE-284, which describes Improper Access Control, and often maps to the ATT&CK technique T1078, Valid Accounts, if exploited by authenticated users who escalate privileges through misconfigured permissions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from a lack of server-side validation for user capabilities before executing sensitive operations. When Geo Mashup processes requests related to map configurations, location data management, or plugin settings, it likely relies on client-side checks or assumes that the request originator has sufficient privilege without verifying the current session's authorization level against the required permission set. This oversight enables an attacker to craft malicious HTTP requests that bypass intended security boundaries. For instance, a user with subscriber-level access might be able to modify global map settings, delete location data belonging to other users, or alter plugin configurations that affect site-wide functionality. The exploitation does not require complex buffer overflows or injection payloads but rather the precise construction of API calls or form submissions that target unprotected endpoints within the plugin's codebase.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any organization relying on Geo Mashup to manage geospatial data and interactive maps. An attacker successfully exploiting this flaw can achieve unauthorized modification of critical site configurations, leading to potential denial of service if map settings are corrupted or rendered unusable. Furthermore, the ability to manipulate location data could lead to privacy violations if sensitive geographic information is exposed, altered, or deleted without authorization. In a broader security context, such weaknesses often serve as an entry point for further attacks, including cross-site scripting if user input is reflected improperly in map displays, or SQL injection if backend queries are constructed unsafely based on manipulated parameters. The integrity of the application's data and configuration becomes compromised, undermining trust in the platform's reliability and security posture.
Mitigation strategies must prioritize immediate remediation through software updates as well as defensive architectural adjustments. The primary recommendation is to upgrade Geo Mashup to version 1.13.23 or later, where these authorization checks have been implemented by the developer. For environments where updating is not immediately feasible, temporary mitigations should include restricting access to WordPress admin areas via IP whitelisting if possible, ensuring that all user accounts adhere strictly to the principle of least privilege, and monitoring server logs for anomalous request patterns targeting Geo Mashup endpoints. Additionally, implementing a Web Application Firewall can help detect and block requests that attempt to exploit known authorization bypass techniques by analyzing parameter structures and frequency against established baselines. Regular security audits focusing on access control logic are essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in custom code or third-party integrations within the WordPress ecosystem.