CVE-2025-12415 Overview
CVE-2025-12415 is a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability in the MapMap plugin for WordPress. The flaw affects all versions up to and including version 1.1. The root cause is missing or incorrect nonce validation on the admin_shortcode_submit, admin_configuration_submit, and admin_shortcode_delete functions. Unauthenticated attackers can update the plugin's settings and inject malicious web scripts by tricking a site administrator into clicking a crafted link. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-352.
Critical Impact
Attackers can forge administrator requests to modify plugin settings and inject persistent scripts, enabling stored cross-site scripting and site compromise through a single administrator click.
Affected Products
- WordPress MapMap plugin versions up to and including 1.1
- WordPress sites with MapMap installed and activated
- Administrator accounts authenticated to vulnerable MapMap instances
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-04 - CVE CVE-2025-12415 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-12415
Vulnerability Analysis
The MapMap plugin exposes three administrative handlers that process state-changing requests without verifying a WordPress nonce token. The affected functions are admin_shortcode_submit, admin_configuration_submit, and admin_shortcode_delete. WordPress provides wp_verify_nonce() and check_admin_referer() specifically to protect such handlers from forged cross-origin requests. When these checks are missing, the browser's ambient administrator session is sufficient to authorize any request an attacker can induce.
Because the handlers accept configuration input and shortcode payloads, a forged request can inject arbitrary content that renders on public pages. This turns a client-side trick into a server-side script injection, elevating the impact beyond a simple settings change.
Root Cause
The root cause is the absence of nonce validation in the plugin's admin submission functions at lines 397, 418, and 447 of mapmap.php in the 1.1 release. See the referenced source lines: mapmap.php line 397, line 418, and line 447.
Attack Vector
An attacker hosts a page containing an auto-submitting HTML form or image tag that targets the vulnerable MapMap admin endpoints. The attacker delivers the URL to a WordPress administrator via phishing, forum post, or comment. When the authenticated administrator loads the page, the browser submits the forged request with valid session cookies, executing the state change under the administrator's identity. Additional context is available in the Wordfence Vulnerability Report.
// No verified exploit code is publicly available.
// The attack pattern involves an HTML form that POSTs to the
// vulnerable admin handler while an administrator's browser
// carries a valid WordPress session cookie.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-12415
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected modifications to MapMap plugin settings or shortcode entries in wp_options and related tables
- Inbound POST requests to MapMap admin endpoints with a missing or mismatched Referer header
- Presence of <script> tags or event handlers stored in MapMap shortcode content
- Administrator sessions performing plugin configuration changes shortly after clicking external links
Detection Strategies
- Review web server access logs for POST requests to MapMap admin action URLs originating from off-site referers
- Audit the WordPress database for MapMap-related rows containing HTML or JavaScript payloads
- Enable WordPress audit logging to capture plugin setting changes with user, timestamp, and source IP context
Monitoring Recommendations
- Alert on any modification to WordPress plugin configuration outside of approved change windows
- Monitor administrator browser sessions for cross-origin POSTs to /wp-admin/ endpoints
- Track outbound requests from rendered pages that could indicate injected script beaconing
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-12415
Immediate Actions Required
- Deactivate the MapMap plugin until a patched release is available and verified
- Force logout of all administrator sessions and rotate administrator passwords
- Review MapMap shortcodes and configuration entries for injected scripts and remove any unauthorized content
- Restrict WordPress administrator access to trusted networks and enforce multi-factor authentication
Patch Information
No fixed version is identified in the referenced advisory at the time of publication. All versions up to and including 1.1 are affected. Consult the Wordfence advisory for release updates and monitor the plugin's WordPress.org listing for a patched build.
Workarounds
- Remove or disable the MapMap plugin until a fixed version ships
- Deploy a web application firewall rule that blocks POST requests to MapMap admin actions lacking a same-origin Referer
- Train administrators to avoid clicking untrusted links while authenticated to WordPress
- Use a dedicated browser or profile for WordPress administration to reduce cross-site cookie exposure
# Example: temporarily disable the plugin via WP-CLI
wp plugin deactivate mapmap
wp plugin status mapmap
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
