CVE-2024-9117 is a stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability identified in the sekler Mapplic Lite plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 1.0. The vulnerability stems from insufficient sanitization and escaping of SVG file uploads, which are processed and rendered by the plugin without adequately neutralizing potentially malicious content. Authenticated users with Author-level privileges or higher can upload crafted SVG files containing embedded JavaScript code. When these SVG files are accessed by any user, the malicious scripts execute in the context of the victim's browser, potentially compromising session tokens, cookies, or enabling unauthorized actions within the WordPress site. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-79 (Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation) and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.4, indicating medium severity. The attack vector is network-based (remote), requires low attack complexity, and privileges at the Author level, but does not require user interaction. The scope is changed as the vulnerability affects resources beyond the attacker’s privileges, impacting other users. No public exploit code or active exploitation has been reported yet. The vulnerability highlights the risks of insufficient input validation in file upload features, especially for complex file formats like SVG that can embed scripts. Mitigation typically involves sanitizing SVG content on upload and escaping output when rendering. Since no patches are currently linked, users must monitor vendor updates or apply manual mitigations.

The impact of CVE-2024-9117 is significant for organizations using the sekler Mapplic Lite plugin on WordPress sites. Successful exploitation allows authenticated users with Author-level access to inject persistent malicious scripts, which execute in the browsers of any users viewing the affected SVG files. This can lead to session hijacking, theft of sensitive information, unauthorized actions performed on behalf of victims, and potential privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability compromises the confidentiality and integrity of user sessions and data but does not directly affect availability. Since WordPress powers a large portion of websites globally, including many business and government sites, the risk is widespread. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to target site administrators or visitors, potentially leading to broader compromise of the website or its users. The requirement for Author-level access limits exploitation to insiders or compromised accounts but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments with multiple contributors. The absence of known exploits in the wild suggests a window for proactive defense. However, failure to address this vulnerability could result in reputational damage, data breaches, and compliance violations for affected organizations.

To mitigate CVE-2024-9117, organizations should first monitor for and apply any official patches or updates released by the sekler Mapplic Lite plugin developers. In the absence of patches, implement strict input validation and sanitization on SVG file uploads to remove or neutralize embedded scripts and potentially dangerous elements. Employ server-side SVG sanitization tools or libraries designed to strip JavaScript and other executable content from SVG files before storage or rendering. Additionally, enforce the principle of least privilege by limiting Author-level access to trusted users only and regularly auditing user roles and permissions. Consider disabling SVG uploads entirely if not required or replacing SVG with safer image formats like PNG or JPEG. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict script execution sources and reduce the impact of any injected scripts. Regularly review and harden WordPress security configurations, including plugin updates, user authentication mechanisms, and monitoring for anomalous activities. Finally, educate site administrators and contributors about the risks of uploading untrusted files and encourage vigilance against social engineering attacks that could lead to account compromise.