CVE-2025-11307 is a Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability classified under CWE-79 affecting the WP Go Maps WordPress plugin (formerly WP Google Maps) in versions prior to 9.0.48. The root cause is the failure to sanitize user input submitted via an AJAX action, which allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious JavaScript payloads. These payloads are stored persistently and later retrieved through another AJAX call where the plugin outputs the data without proper escaping or encoding, leading to execution of the injected scripts in the context of the victim's browser. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 score is 8.8 (high), reflecting the ease of exploitation (network vector, no privileges required), the requirement for user interaction (triggering the AJAX call), and the severe impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected WordPress sites. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal cookies, hijack user sessions, deface websites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, including administrators. Although no public exploits are currently known, the widespread use of WP Go Maps in WordPress ecosystems makes this a significant threat. The vulnerability was reserved in early October 2025 and published in November 2025, indicating recent discovery and disclosure. The lack of patch links suggests that users must verify plugin updates or apply manual mitigations. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for secure coding practices around AJAX input handling and output encoding in WordPress plugins.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk to websites using the WP Go Maps plugin, which is popular for embedding interactive maps. Exploitation can lead to theft of sensitive user data, including authentication tokens and personal information, potentially resulting in account takeover and data breaches. The integrity of website content can be compromised through defacement or injection of malicious content, damaging organizational reputation and trust. Availability may also be affected if attackers leverage the vulnerability to conduct further attacks such as injecting malware or redirecting users to malicious sites. Public-facing websites of government agencies, e-commerce platforms, and service providers in Europe that rely on this plugin are particularly vulnerable. The risk is amplified in sectors with strict data protection regulations like GDPR, where breaches can lead to heavy fines and legal consequences. Additionally, attackers could use compromised sites as a foothold for lateral movement within networks or as a platform for phishing campaigns targeting European users. The vulnerability’s unauthenticated nature and network accessibility make it a critical concern for organizations aiming to maintain robust cybersecurity postures.

1. Immediately update the WP Go Maps plugin to version 9.0.48 or later, where this vulnerability is fixed. 2. If an immediate update is not possible, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect and block malicious AJAX requests targeting the vulnerable endpoints. 3. Review and harden AJAX handlers in custom WordPress plugins or themes to ensure all user inputs are properly sanitized and validated server-side. 4. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to restrict execution of unauthorized scripts in browsers. 5. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focusing on AJAX endpoints and input handling. 6. Educate site administrators and developers on secure coding practices, especially regarding input sanitization and output encoding. 7. Monitor web server and application logs for unusual AJAX activity that may indicate exploitation attempts. 8. Consider implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for WordPress admin accounts to reduce impact if session hijacking occurs. 9. Backup website data regularly to enable quick restoration in case of compromise. 10. Engage with the plugin vendor or community to track updates and security advisories.