# CVE-2026-12954: Mapster WP Maps arbitrary user meta write via profile update

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-12954-mapster-wp-maps-arbitrary-user-meta-write-via-profile-update  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-18. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-12954 · Severity: high · CVSS 8.8 · Published 2026-09-18

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.

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-12954 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-12954 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-12954?** High severity, with a CVSS score of 8.8, published 18 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Mapster WP Maps up to and including 1.23.0.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-12954?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-12954 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-12954?** Check whether anything you run is named in the advisory. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## 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

## References

- [https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/mapster-wp-maps/tags/1.21.0/includes/acf-photo-gallery-field/includes/acf_photo_gallery_save.php](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/mapster-wp-maps/tags/1.21.0/includes/acf-photo-gallery-field/includes/acf_photo_gallery_save.php)
- [https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/mapster-wp-maps/tags/1.21.0/includes/acf-photo-gallery-field/includes/acf_photo_gallery_save.php](https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/mapster-wp-maps/tags/1.21.0/includes/acf-photo-gallery-field/includes/acf_photo_gallery_save.php)