CVE-2025-5194 – WP Map Block by aBlocks < 2.0.3 – Contributor+ Stored XSS via Marker – POC

Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities continue to pose significant risks to WordPress websites, especially those utilizing Gutenberg-compatible plugins for dynamic content embedding. A critical stored XSS vulnerability (CVE-2025-5194) was recently discovered in the WP Map Block plugin, which has since merged with aBlocks. The flaw allows users with Contributor or higher privileges to inject persistent JavaScript payloads through the map marker content, potentially compromising site integrity and administrative accounts.

CVE	CVE-2025-5194
	WP Map Block < 2.0.3
Critical	High
All Time	263 652
Active installations	20 000+
Publicly Published	June 9, 2025
Last Updated	June 9, 2025
Researcher	Artyom Krugov
OWASP TOP-10	A7: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
PoC	Yes
Exploit	No
Reference	https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/f90b7ad6-e2a2-4833-a390-a78c64dc2382/ https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2025-5194
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Timeline

Discovery of the Vulnerability

During a manual security audit of the WP Map Block plugin (prior to version 2.0.3), researchers identified that user input inside the Map Marker → Content field was not properly sanitized or escaped. As a result, an attacker with Contributor+ rights could inject malicious scripts directly into the block configuration.

Understanding of XSS attack’s

Stored XSS is a severe form of cross-site scripting in which the malicious code is saved on the server and delivered to users through regular content rendering. Unlike reflected XSS, which requires interaction through manipulated URLs, stored XSS activates passively when a user loads infected content.

Common Stored XSS Sources in WordPress:

• Comments or user input fields not sanitized.
• Plugin configuration areas where HTML/JS is stored and rendered without escaping.
• Block editors (like Gutenberg) with rich content features lacking strict filtering.

The WP Map Block vulnerability fits this pattern—failing to sanitize marker content before storage and rendering.

Exploiting the XSS Vulnerability

To exploit CVE-2025-5194, an attacker with contributor+ privileges:

POC:

1) Log in to WordPress as a Contributor or higher-privileged user.
2) Create or edit a post using the Gutenberg editor.
3) Add a WP Map Block to the content.
4) Open the Map Marker settings.
5) In the Content tab of a marker, insert the following payload in HTML-encoded form:
"><script></script><img src=x onerror=alert(777)>
6) Publish the post or save it as a draft.
7)When any user with sufficient privileges views the post in the editor, the injected JavaScript executes.

____

When this payload is added to a marker’s content field and the post is previewed or edited later by an administrator, the JavaScript executes immediately—showing a clear stored XSS vulnerability.

Recommendations for Improved Security

Restrict Contributor Access: Limit or moderate the ability of lower-privileged users to insert map blocks or edit advanced content fields.

Monitor Post Content: Use security plugins (e.g., Wordfence, Sucuri) to scan for unexpected script tags or suspicious markup.

Perform Regular Updates: Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins up-to-date to avoid known vulnerabilities.

Educate Content Teams: Train contributors on safe editing practices and the importance of avoiding script injections—even during testing.

For Developers:

• Sanitize Input: Always use WordPress sanitization functions such as sanitize_text_field(), wp_kses_post(), or custom esc_html() wrappers when accepting user input.
• Escape Output: Escape all dynamic content rendered inside blocks or templates.
• Use wp_kses for Gutenberg Blocks: Limit allowed tags and attributes within complex fields like marker content.
• Update Plugin: Patch deployed in version 2.0.3 of aBlocks — all users must upgrade immediately.

By taking proactive measures to address Stored XSS vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-5194, 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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Artyom k.