CVE-2025-3502 – WP Maps – Stored XSS to JS Backdoor Creation – POC

The WordPress ecosystem, with its massive collection of third-party plugins, remains a fertile ground for both innovation and security concerns. One such concern has emerged in the popular WP Maps plugin, which boasts over 80,000 active installations. This plugin, designed to help users create interactive maps on their websites, contains a critical vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-3502. The vulnerability allows for the execution of stored cross-site scripting (XSS) payloads, ultimately enabling the creation of JavaScript-based backdoors. This vulnerability is particularly concerning due to its low exploitation threshold and the fact that it can be triggered even by users with limited privileges, such as editors.

CVE	CVE-2025-3502
	WP Maps < 4.7.2
Critical	High
All Time	3 166 732
Active installations	80 000+
Publicly Published	April 22, 2025
Last Updated	April 22, 2025
Researcher	Dmitrii Ignatyev
OWASP TOP-10	A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
PoC	Yes
Exploit	No
Reference	https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2025-3502 https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/dd436064-e611-4a4b-a873-67ed6029c46f/
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Timeline

Discovery of the Vulnerability

During a routine plugin security audit, our team discovered that WP Maps fails to properly sanitize input values for several map configuration fields. Specifically, the marker_default_icon parameter, which is part of the map_all_control settings, does not undergo sufficient filtering or escaping before being rendered in the backend interface. By leveraging this oversight, an attacker with editor-level access can inject malicious JavaScript code that will execute within the admin panel context—posing a serious risk for site compromise through session hijacking or backdoor deployment.

Understanding of XSS attack’s

Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks have long plagued web applications, and WordPress is no exception. Stored XSS, in particular, poses a persistent risk as the malicious payload is stored on the server and triggered whenever the affected page or input is rendered. WordPress attempts to mitigate such attacks via its unfiltered_html capability and content sanitization routines. However, when third-party plugins bypass or inadequately implement these checks, even the core protections become ineffective. In the case of WP Maps, the XSS originates from an insufficiently validated map setting, reminiscent of prior issues seen in other plugins like MapPress and Ninja Forms.

Exploiting the XSS Vulnerability

To exploit CVE-2025-3502, an attacker with editor+ privileges:

POC:

1) Create new WP Map
2) Fill "Map Title" and "Map height" fields with random and save map
3) Go to created map and click save one more time (intercept request)
4) Change map_all_control[marker_default_icon] to "><img src=x onerror=alert(1)>
5) To trigger XSS you should go to the settings of this map

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CVE-2025-3502 poses a significant threat to website integrity and administrative control. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could gain full control over the WordPress site by executing scripts that add a new administrator account, manipulate existing content, or exfiltrate sensitive data. Furthermore, as the vulnerability does not require administrator privileges to initiate the attack, even a compromised contributor or editor account could serve as a launch point for full administrative takeover. In multi-user environments like news portals or community blogs, this risk becomes exponentially greater.

Recommendations for Improved Security

To mitigate this vulnerability, users of WP Maps should immediately update to a version that addresses CVE-2025-3502 (once released). In the meantime, administrators can limit exposure by disabling untrusted user accounts and enforcing stricter content filtering plugins such as WordFence or CleanTalk Security. Plugin developers, on the other hand, must enforce rigorous validation and escaping practices on all user inputs, especially those rendered in admin-facing interfaces. Additionally, a review of all form and settings fields for similar injection points is recommended to prevent future vulnerabilities.

To prevent this type of attacks vendor used our methods of prevention.

By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-3502, WordPress website owners can enhance their security posture and safeguard against potential exploitation. Stay vigilant, stay secure.

#WordPressSecurity #StoredXSS #WebsiteSafety #StayProtected #HighVulnerability

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Dmitrii I.