Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-36871 is a stored cross-site scripting issue in the premium WP Google Maps Pro WordPress plugin through version 8.1.11. An authenticated user with high privileges could save unsafe content in map-related fields, creating a risk of script execution in the site or admin context.
Executive priority
Treat as a moderate-priority hygiene fix for WordPress properties. Prioritize sites where non-admin staff or third parties can edit maps, because the vulnerability depends on authenticated privileged access.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-79 affecting Code Cabin WP Google Maps Pro <= 8.1.11. Sources list multiple stored XSS sinks across marker category name, attributes, icons, names, description, link, and title parameters. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5 with network attack vector, low complexity, high privileges required, changed scope, and low confidentiality/integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress deployments using the premium WP Google Maps Pro plugin at version 8.1.11 or earlier. Risk is higher where map-management access is granted to users who are not fully trusted.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The vulnerability requires authenticated high-privilege access, so it is less likely to be mass-exploited than unauthenticated WordPress bugs, but stored XSS can still affect sensitive admin workflows.
Researcher notes
Evidence names vulnerable parameters and CVSS details, but the prompt bundle does not include a fixed version or exploit proof. Avoid assuming exploitation or remediation beyond vendor guidance. Defensive validation should focus on version inventory, privilege review, and stored-content review.
Mitigation direction
- Identify all WordPress sites running WP Google Maps Pro.
- Check the installed plugin version against vendor and Patchstack guidance.
- Upgrade if the vendor changelog identifies a fixed release.
- Restrict map-management permissions to trusted administrators only.
- Review stored map fields for unexpected script-like content.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether WP Google Maps Pro is installed and active.
- Record plugin version from WordPress admin or asset inventory.
- Review the listed map fields for suspicious saved content.
- Check user roles that can edit plugin map data.
- Monitor vendor and Patchstack entries for fixed-version details.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-36871 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N2.32.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wpgmaps.com/documentation/pro-changelog/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/wp-google-maps-pro/wordpress-wp-google-maps-pro-premium-plugin-8-1-11-multiple-authenticated-persistent-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerabilitiesCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.