CVE-2022-0537
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the MapPress Maps for WordPress plugin allows authenticated administrators to bypass WordPress security settings and upload arbitrary PHP files, leading to remote code execution. It affects WordPress sites running MapPress versions before 2.73.13 where an administrator account is compromised or malicious.
💻 Affected Systems
- MapPress Maps for WordPress
📦 What is this software?
Mappress by Mappresspro
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete server compromise through web shell upload, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands, steal data, install malware, or pivot to other systems.
Likely Case
Unauthorized file upload leading to web shell installation, data exfiltration, or site defacement by attackers with admin access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls, file integrity monitoring, and least privilege principles are enforced.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires admin credentials. Public exploit code is available in security advisories.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.73.13
Vendor Advisory: https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/abfbba70-5158-4990-98e5-f302361db367
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find MapPress Maps for WordPress. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available. 5. Alternatively, download version 2.73.13+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable MapPress plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress
Restrict admin access
allImplement additional authentication controls for admin accounts
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove admin access from untrusted users and implement multi-factor authentication
- Implement file integrity monitoring on WordPress upload directories and alert on new PHP files
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > MapPress version. If version is below 2.73.13, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Confirm MapPress version is 2.73.13 or higher in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with action=mappress_ajax_save
- Unauthorized file creation in wp-content/themes/* directories with .php extension
- Admin user performing unusual file upload activities
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests with 'action' parameter set to 'mappress_ajax_save'
- Unexpected file uploads to WordPress admin endpoints
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND query_string="*action=mappress_ajax_save*"