CVE-2026-84780 in WP Go Maps Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 09/02/2026
Unauthenticated Denial of Service Attack in WP Go Maps <= 10.1.08 versions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as an unauthenticated denial of service attack within WP Go Maps versions prior to or equal to 10.1.08 represents a critical availability risk for websites utilizing this WordPress plugin. This flaw allows any remote attacker, without the need for valid credentials or authentication, to disrupt the normal functioning of the targeted web application. The core issue stems from insufficient input validation and resource management mechanisms within the plugin's codebase, specifically in how it processes requests related to map rendering or geolocation data processing. When an attacker sends a specially crafted request designed to trigger complex computational operations or excessive database queries, the server can become overwhelmed, leading to significant performance degradation or complete unavailability of the service for legitimate users.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which describes conditions where resources are not properly controlled, resulting in exhaustion of those resources such as CPU cycles, memory, or disk space. In the context of WordPress plugins, denial of service attacks often exploit inefficient algorithms or lack of rate limiting on specific endpoints exposed by the plugin. The attacker can repeatedly trigger these resource-intensive operations, causing a spike in server load that prevents the web server from responding to other requests effectively. This type of attack is particularly dangerous because it does not require any prior interaction with the system, making it easy for malicious actors to execute against publicly accessible WordPress sites running vulnerable versions of WP Go Maps.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple downtime. For businesses and organizations relying on their websites for customer engagement, e-commerce transactions, or information dissemination, an unavailability caused by a denial of service attack can result in significant financial loss and reputational damage. Furthermore, the constant strain on server resources may lead to cascading failures if the hosting environment has limited capacity or shares resources with other critical services. Attackers often use such vulnerabilities as part of broader campaigns to distract security teams while attempting more intrusive exploits, or simply for extortion purposes where they demand payment in exchange for ceasing the attack traffic.
This vulnerability is also relevant to MITRE ATT&CK framework techniques related to Resource Hijacking and Impact categories, specifically Denial of Service. The lack of authentication required makes this a high-risk vector that can be automated easily using scripts or botnets. Security analysts should note that while denial of service attacks are often viewed as nuisance-level threats, their ability to disrupt critical business operations elevates them to serious security concerns requiring immediate attention.
To mitigate this vulnerability, administrators must upgrade WP Go Maps to version 10.1.09 or later immediately upon availability. The developers have addressed the underlying code flaws that allowed for unauthenticated resource exhaustion in these newer releases. In addition to updating the plugin, organizations should implement web application firewalls configured with rulesets designed to detect and block abnormal traffic patterns indicative of denial of service attacks. Rate limiting on API endpoints exposed by WordPress plugins can also help mitigate the impact of such attempts by restricting the number of requests a single IP address can make within a given timeframe. Regular security audits and monitoring for unusual spikes in server resource usage are recommended practices to ensure early detection and response to potential exploitation attempts.