CVE-2024-10621
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows authenticated WordPress users with contributor-level access or higher to inject malicious JavaScript into pages using the Simple Shortcode for Google Maps plugin. The injected scripts execute whenever other users view the compromised pages, enabling session hijacking, defacement, or malware distribution. All WordPress sites using this plugin up to version 1.5.4 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Simple Shortcode for Google Maps WordPress Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers gain administrative access, install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or redirect users to malicious sites, potentially compromising the entire WordPress installation and user data.
Likely Case
Attackers deface websites, inject cryptocurrency miners, steal session cookies, or redirect users to phishing pages, causing reputational damage and potential data theft.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls and monitoring, impact is limited to defacement of specific pages or minor script injection that can be quickly detected and cleaned.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access but is technically simple once an attacker has contributor-level credentials.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.5.5
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins. 3. Find 'Simple Shortcode for Google Maps'. 4. Click 'Update Now' if available, or manually update to version 1.5.5. 5. Verify the plugin is active and functioning correctly.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allTemporarily disable the Simple Shortcode for Google Maps plugin until patched
wp plugin deactivate simple-google-maps-short-code
Restrict user roles
allTemporarily remove contributor-level access or implement stricter user role management
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to block XSS payloads in shortcode attributes
- Enable Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Simple Shortcode for Google Maps → Version. If version is 1.5.4 or lower, you are vulnerable.Check Version:
wp plugin get simple-google-maps-short-code --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin version is 1.5.5 or higher in WordPress admin panel. Test shortcode functionality with safe inputs.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to wp-admin with pw_map shortcode parameters containing script tags
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful contributor-level login
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections to suspicious domains from your WordPress server
- Unusual JavaScript loading patterns in page responses
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("pw_map" AND ("script" OR "javascript" OR "onerror"))🔗 References
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&new=3181804%40simple-google-maps-short-code%2Ftrunk&old=3065630%40simple-google-maps-short-code%2Ftrunk&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/33146b95-d2c7-433d-a104-5762b251f8ec?source=cve
