CVE-2026-18464 in WP MAPS PRO Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 08/09/2026
The WP MAPS PRO WordPress plugin before 6.1.3 does not perform a capability check in one of its AJAX actions, which is also available to unauthenticated users, and does not restrict the operation it dispatches, allowing unauthenticated attackers to trigger uncontrolled recursion that exhausts server resources, resulting in a Denial of Service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2026
The vulnerability in WP MAPS PRO WordPress plugin versions prior to 6.1.3 represents a critical security flaw that exposes the system to unauthorized resource consumption through improper access controls and lack of input validation. This issue stems from the plugin's failure to implement proper capability checks within its AJAX handling mechanisms, creating an attack surface that allows any unauthenticated user to exploit a specific endpoint designed for legitimate administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an AJAX action that accepts parameters specifying which operation should be executed, but fails to validate whether the requesting user possesses the necessary privileges to perform such operations. This design flaw enables attackers to submit malicious requests that trigger recursive processes without any authentication or authorization requirements. The plugin's code does not properly sanitize or restrict the input parameters that determine which functions are invoked, leading to a scenario where unauthenticated users can manipulate the system into executing potentially infinite loops or resource-intensive operations.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates a severe denial of service condition where attackers can exhaust server resources such as memory, CPU cycles, and processing power through controlled recursion patterns. The attack mechanism allows for sustained resource consumption that can render the entire WordPress installation unavailable to legitimate users, effectively disrupting business operations and potentially causing significant downtime. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the recursive nature of the vulnerability means that even a single malicious request can cause cascading failures throughout the server infrastructure.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically addressing inadequate access control mechanisms that allow unauthorized users to perform privileged operations. This flaw also connects to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 Operating System Runtime Permissions where adversaries manipulate system resources through improper privilege handling. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and insufficient authorization checks within the plugin's AJAX framework, representing a fundamental security gap in how WordPress plugins handle administrative functions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper capability checks before any privileged operations are executed, ensuring that all AJAX endpoints validate user authentication status and required permissions. Administrators must update to WP MAPS PRO version 6.1.3 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper access control implementation. Additional protective measures include monitoring for unusual AJAX traffic patterns, implementing rate limiting on API endpoints, and configuring web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious parameter manipulation attempts. The fix should enforce strict input validation that prevents arbitrary operation dispatching and ensures only authorized users can trigger resource-intensive functions within the plugin's framework.
This vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in WordPress plugin development, particularly around access control and privilege management. The absence of proper capability checks in AJAX handlers represents a common oversight that attackers frequently exploit to gain unauthorized system access or cause service disruption. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their WordPress installations to identify similar vulnerabilities across all installed plugins and themes, ensuring comprehensive protection against unauthorized resource consumption attacks.