📄 Description (English)
The Geo Mashup plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Time-Based SQL Injection via the 'map_post_type' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.13.18. This is due to the `SearchResults` hook explicitly calling `stripslashes_deep($_POST)` which removes WordPress magic quotes protection, followed by the unsanitized `map_post_type` value being concatenated into an `IN(...)` clause without `esc_sql()` or `$wpdb->prepare()`. The 'any' branch of the same code correctly applies `array_map('esc_sql', ...)`, but the else branch does not. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database via a time-based blind approach. Exploitation requires the Geo Search feature to be enabled in plugin settings.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
The Geo Mashup WordPress plugin versions up to 1.13.18 contain a critical Time-Based SQL Injection vulnerability in the 'map_post_type' parameter that allows unauthenticated attackers to extract sensitive database information. The vulnerability exists due to improper input sanitization where `stripslashes_deep()` removes WordPress protections and the parameter is concatenated directly into SQL queries without proper escaping. This poses significant risk to Saudi organizations running WordPress-based websites, particularly those managing sensitive business or customer data.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 6, 2026 16:36
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi organizations at highest risk include: (1) E-commerce and retail businesses using WordPress with Geo Mashup for location-based product searches; (2) Real estate and property management companies leveraging geo-location features; (3) Government agencies and municipalities using WordPress for public-facing services with location data; (4) Healthcare providers managing patient location data; (5) Tourism and hospitality sectors. The vulnerability allows extraction of customer databases, business intelligence, personal information, and financial records if the Geo Search feature is enabled. Organizations in SAMA-regulated sectors face additional compliance violations (SAMA CSF A.2.1, A.2.2). The attack requires no authentication and can be executed remotely, making it highly exploitable.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
E-commerce and Retail
Real Estate and Property Management
Government and Public Administration
Healthcare and Medical Services
Tourism and Hospitality
Financial Services
Education
Media and Publishing
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application (WordPress plugin exploitation)
T1005 - Data from Local System (database extraction)
T1040 - Network Sniffing (SQL query interception)
T1557 - Adversary-in-the-Middle (database query manipulation)
T1078 - Valid Accounts (privilege escalation via database access)
T1213 - Data from Information Repositories (database exfiltration)
T1110 - Brute Force (time-based blind SQL injection enumeration)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Disable the Geo Mashup plugin immediately if not critical to operations, or disable the Geo Search feature in plugin settings to prevent exploitation
2. Audit WordPress access logs for suspicious POST requests containing SQL syntax (UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, BENCHMARK) in the 'map_post_type' parameter
3. Review database access logs for unusual query patterns or timing anomalies
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Monitor the Geo Mashup plugin repository for security updates (currently no patch available as of CVE publication)
2. Contact plugin developers for estimated patch timeline
3. If critical functionality required, implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block SQL injection patterns
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
1. Implement ModSecurity or similar WAF with OWASP CRS rules to detect/block SQL injection attempts
2. Apply input validation at WAF level: whitelist allowed values for 'map_post_type' parameter
3. Restrict POST requests to Geo Mashup endpoints by IP whitelist if possible
4. Enable WordPress security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri) with SQL injection detection
5. Implement database query logging and real-time alerting for suspicious patterns
6. Apply principle of least privilege to database user accounts
7. Use prepared statements in any custom code interacting with this plugin
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for POST requests with 'map_post_type' parameter containing: UNION, SELECT, SLEEP(), BENCHMARK(), OR 1=1, comment syntax (-- , /* */)
2. Alert on database queries with unusual execution times (>5 seconds) from WordPress processes
3. Monitor for multiple failed database authentication attempts
4. Track database error logs for syntax errors in generated queries
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. عطّل مكون Geo Mashup فوراً إذا لم يكن حرجاً للعمليات، أو عطّل ميزة Geo Search في إعدادات المكون لمنع الاستغلال
2. تدقيق سجلات وصول WordPress للطلبات المريبة التي تحتوي على بناء جملة SQL (UNION, SELECT, SLEEP, BENCHMARK) في معامل 'map_post_type'
3. مراجعة سجلات وصول قاعدة البيانات للأنماط غير العادية أو الشذوذ الزمني
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. راقب مستودع مكون Geo Mashup للتحديثات الأمنية (لا توجد تصحيحات متاحة حالياً)
2. اتصل بمطوري المكون للحصول على الجدول الزمني المقدر للتصحيح
3. إذا كانت الوظيفة حرجة، قم بتنفيذ قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب لحجب أنماط حقن SQL
الضوابط التعويضية:
1. قم بتنفيذ ModSecurity أو WAF مماثل مع قواعد OWASP CRS لكشف/حجب محاولات حقن SQL
2. تطبيق التحقق من المدخلات على مستوى WAF: قائمة بيضاء للقيم المسموحة لمعامل 'map_post_type'
3. تقييد طلبات POST لنقاط نهاية Geo Mashup حسب القائمة البيضاء للعناوين إن أمكن
4. تفعيل مكونات أمان WordPress (Wordfence, Sucuri) مع كشف حقن SQL
5. تنفيذ تسجيل استعلامات قاعدة البيانات والتنبيهات في الوقت الفعلي للأنماط المريبة
6. تطبيق مبدأ أقل امتياز لحسابات مستخدمي قاعدة البيانات
7. استخدام العبارات المحضرة في أي كود مخصص يتفاعل مع هذا المكون
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.2.1 - Information Security Policies and Procedures (input validation requirements)
A.2.2 - Access Control (database access restrictions)
A.3.1 - Cryptography (data protection in transit/at rest)
A.4.1 - Physical and Environmental Security (server hardening)
A.5.1 - Operations Security (vulnerability management)
A.6.1 - Communications Security (secure coding practices)
🔵 SAMA CSF
A.2.1 - Governance and Risk Management (vulnerability assessment)
A.2.2 - Information Security Strategy (incident response)
B.1.1 - Asset Management (software inventory)
B.2.1 - Access Control (authentication/authorization)
B.3.1 - Cryptography (data protection)
C.1.1 - Detection and Response (security monitoring)
C.2.1 - Incident Management (breach response procedures)
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.5.1.1 - Policies for information security (secure development)
A.5.2.1 - Information security responsibilities
A.6.1.1 - Screening (vendor security assessment)
A.8.1.1 - User endpoint devices (application security)
A.8.2.1 - Privileged access rights (database access control)
A.8.3.1 - Restriction of access to information (data protection)
A.12.2.1 - Restrictions on software installation (plugin management)
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities (patch management)
A.14.1.1 - Information security requirements (secure coding)
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
Requirement 1.1 - Firewall configuration standards (WAF implementation)
Requirement 2.1 - Default security parameters (plugin hardening)
Requirement 6.2 - Security patches (vulnerability management)
Requirement 6.5.1 - Injection flaws (SQL injection prevention)
Requirement 10.2 - User access logging (audit trails)
Requirement 11.2 - Vulnerability scanning (regular assessments)
🔗 References & Sources 5
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/geo-mashup/trunk/geo-mashup-db.php#L1748
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/geo-mashup/trunk/php/Hooks/SearchResults.php...
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/geo-mashup/trunk/php/Search.php#L152
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3503627/
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/cc3cf6c5-643e-49ca-b09c-bd7cf...
security@wordfence.com