CVE-2025-47559: MapSVG File Upload RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-47559 Overview

CVE-2025-47559 is an Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability (CWE-434) in the RomanCode MapSVG WordPress plugin. This vulnerability allows attackers to upload malicious web shells to a web server, potentially leading to complete server compromise. The flaw exists in versions prior to 8.7.4 of the MapSVG plugin, which is used for creating interactive maps in WordPress.

Critical Impact

Attackers can upload arbitrary files including web shells, enabling full remote code execution on the affected WordPress server and potentially compromising the entire website and underlying infrastructure.

Affected Products

• RomanCode MapSVG WordPress plugin versions prior to 8.7.4
• WordPress installations using vulnerable MapSVG plugin versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-06-17 - CVE-2025-47559 published to NVD
• 2026-04-01 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-47559

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability stems from insufficient file type validation in the MapSVG plugin's file upload functionality. The plugin fails to properly restrict the types of files that can be uploaded through its interface, allowing attackers to bypass intended security controls and upload executable files such as PHP web shells.

When successfully exploited, an attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code on the web server with the privileges of the web server process. This can lead to complete website takeover, data theft, defacement, use of the server for further attacks, and lateral movement within the hosting infrastructure.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-47559 is improper input validation in the file upload mechanism. The MapSVG plugin does not adequately verify that uploaded files conform to safe file types (such as images or SVG files). Without proper server-side validation of file extensions, MIME types, and file contents, malicious actors can craft requests that upload dangerous file types including PHP scripts.

Attack Vector

The attack vector involves an authenticated or unauthenticated user (depending on the plugin's configuration and WordPress permissions) submitting a specially crafted upload request containing a malicious PHP file. The attacker may disguise the file using techniques such as:

• Using double extensions (e.g., shell.php.jpg)
• Manipulating the Content-Type header to bypass MIME type checks
• Embedding PHP code within seemingly legitimate file formats

Once the malicious file is uploaded to a web-accessible directory, the attacker can access it via a direct URL request, triggering execution of the embedded malicious code. This provides a persistent backdoor for remote command execution.

For detailed technical information about this vulnerability, see the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-47559

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected PHP files appearing in WordPress upload directories, particularly within /wp-content/uploads/ or MapSVG-related directories
• Web server access logs showing requests to unusual PHP files that were recently created
• Suspicious outbound network connections originating from the web server process
• Unauthorized modifications to WordPress files or database entries

Detection Strategies

• Monitor file system changes in WordPress upload directories for new PHP or executable files
• Implement web application firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious file upload attempts
• Review web server access logs for POST requests to MapSVG plugin endpoints followed by GET requests to newly created files
• Use file integrity monitoring (FIM) tools to alert on unauthorized file creation in web directories

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure real-time alerts for file creation events in the wp-content/uploads/ directory structure
• Implement log correlation to identify upload activity followed by execution patterns
• Monitor for process spawning from the web server that may indicate successful web shell execution
• Regularly audit installed WordPress plugins and their versions against known vulnerability databases

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-47559

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the MapSVG plugin to version 8.7.4 or later immediately
• Audit WordPress upload directories for any suspicious or unexpected files, particularly PHP scripts
• Review web server access logs for evidence of exploitation attempts
• Consider temporarily disabling the MapSVG plugin until the update can be applied if immediate patching is not possible

Patch Information

The vulnerability affects MapSVG versions prior to 8.7.4. Users should update to version 8.7.4 or newer through the WordPress plugin management interface or by manually downloading the latest version from the official WordPress plugin repository. Detailed patch information is available in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Implement strict file upload restrictions at the web server level to block execution of PHP files in upload directories
• Add server-side validation to reject files with dangerous extensions regardless of plugin behavior
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter malicious upload attempts
• Restrict access to the MapSVG plugin's administrative functions to trusted administrators only

# Apache .htaccess configuration to prevent PHP execution in uploads directory
# Place this file in /wp-content/uploads/.htaccess

<FilesMatch "\.(?i:php|phtml|php3|php4|php5|phps)$">
    Require all denied
</FilesMatch>

# Alternative: Disable PHP engine entirely in uploads
php_flag engine off