Executive brief
Mapster WP Maps is a WordPress plugin for displaying and managing maps. The plugin allows any authenticated user (including low-privilege accounts) to modify arbitrary user metadata without proper validation, potentially enabling account manipulation, data tampering, or lateral movement within a WordPress site.
Technical details
The `my_profile_update()` function in Mapster WP Maps fails to validate the meta key supplied via the `acf-photo-gallery-groups` POST parameter before passing it to WordPress's `update_user_meta()` function. The vulnerability stems from missing nonce verification, capability checks, and meta key whitelisting. An authenticated attacker with Subscriber-level access or above can send a crafted POST request to modify arbitrary user metadata. While the vulnerability does not enable direct privilege escalation, it allows attackers to alter critical user settings, potentially affecting site functionality or facilitating further attacks. The vulnerability affects all versions up to and including 1.23.0.
Affected products
- Mapster WP Maps up to and including 1.23.0
Timeline
- 2026-09-18: disclosed