CVE-2026-59527: MapSVG SQL Injection Vulnerability

CVE-2026-59527 Overview

CVE-2026-59527 is an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in the MapSVG WordPress plugin versions 8.14.0 and earlier. The plugin provides interactive vector map functionality for WordPress sites and is deployed across a broad range of installations. Attackers can send crafted requests to injectable endpoints without any authentication, manipulating backend SQL queries against the WordPress database. The flaw is classified under CWE-89 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command).

Critical Impact
Remote unauthenticated attackers can inject SQL statements against the WordPress database, enabling data extraction from any accessible table and potential downstream compromise of the site.

Affected Products

MapSVG WordPress plugin versions <= 8.14.0
MapSVG Lite Interactive Vector Maps (WordPress.org distribution)
WordPress installations with the plugin active and network-reachable

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-27 - CVE-2026-59527 published to NVD
2026-07-27 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-59527

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability is an unauthenticated SQL injection in the MapSVG plugin. Attacker-controlled input reaches a SQL query construction path without proper sanitization or parameterization. Because no authentication is required, any remote client that can reach the WordPress site can trigger the injectable code path.

Successful exploitation allows attackers to modify the intended SQL query logic. This exposes the WordPress database contents, including the wp_users table with password hashes and session tokens. Attackers can also read plugin-specific tables and any other data accessible to the WordPress database user. The impact extends beyond confidentiality: attackers can leverage extracted credentials to escalate access or pivot into administrative functions.

Root Cause

The root cause is improper neutralization of user-supplied input in SQL statements handled by the plugin. WordPress provides the $wpdb->prepare() API for safe parameterization, but the affected code paths concatenate untrusted input directly into query strings or fail to apply proper escaping before execution.

Attack Vector

Exploitation is performed over the network with low complexity and requires no user interaction. An attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a MapSVG plugin endpoint exposed by a vulnerable WordPress site. The injected payload alters the SQL query executed against the backend database. Because the vulnerability has a changed scope, an attacker can affect resources beyond the vulnerable component itself. See the Patchstack advisory for reference details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-59527

Indicators of Compromise

HTTP requests targeting MapSVG plugin endpoints containing SQL syntax such as UNION SELECT, SLEEP(, BENCHMARK(, or comment sequences (--, #, /*)
Unexpected outbound traffic or long-running database queries originating from the WordPress web process shortly after inbound MapSVG requests
New or modified administrator accounts, unexpected changes to wp_users or wp_options, or session tokens issued without matching login events

Detection Strategies

Inspect web server access logs for requests to MapSVG plugin routes (paths containing mapsvg) carrying encoded SQL metacharacters or boolean-based payloads
Enable WordPress database query logging or use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with SQL injection signatures tuned for WordPress plugin endpoints
Correlate spikes in admin-ajax.php or REST API traffic referencing MapSVG actions with authentication and database anomaly events

Monitoring Recommendations

Alert on unauthenticated requests to MapSVG endpoints that produce HTTP 500 responses or elevated query latency, both common byproducts of SQL injection probing
Monitor for privilege changes and password resets on WordPress accounts, and track creation of new users with the administrator role
Baseline outbound connections from the WordPress host to detect data exfiltration attempts following suspicious plugin activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-59527

Immediate Actions Required

Update the MapSVG plugin to a version newer than 8.14.0 as soon as a fixed release is available from the vendor
If no patched version is yet published, deactivate and remove the MapSVG plugin from all WordPress installations
Rotate WordPress administrator passwords, invalidate active sessions, and rotate any secrets stored in the database

Patch Information

Refer to the Patchstack WordPress Vulnerability Report for the latest fix status. Apply the vendor-supplied update once released. Verify the installed plugin version through the WordPress admin plugins page or via wp plugin list with WP-CLI.

Workarounds

Deploy a WAF rule that blocks requests to MapSVG endpoints containing SQL keywords, quoting characters, and comment sequences until a patch is applied
Restrict access to the WordPress site with IP allowlisting or authentication at the reverse proxy layer for non-public deployments
Audit the WordPress database user permissions and reduce privileges to the minimum required by WordPress core operations

bash

# Configuration example: disable MapSVG via WP-CLI until patched
wp plugin deactivate mapsvg-lite-interactive-vector-maps
wp plugin delete mapsvg-lite-interactive-vector-maps

# Verify no residual plugin files remain
find wp-content/plugins -maxdepth 1 -iname '*mapsvg*'