CVE-2022-4033 in Quiz and Survey Master Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 11/30/2022
The Quiz and Survey Master plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to input validation bypass via the 'question[id]' parameter in versions up to, and including, 8.0.4 due to insufficient input validation that allows attackers to inject content other than the specified value (i.e. a number, file path, etc..). This makes it possible attackers to submit values other than the intended input type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The vulnerability identified in CVE-2022-4033 affects the Quiz and Survey Master plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool for creating interactive quizzes and surveys on wordpress websites. This plugin has been installed on millions of wordpress sites worldwide, making it a significant target for cyber attackers seeking to exploit weaknesses in content management systems. The vulnerability specifically resides in the handling of the 'question[id]' parameter within the plugin's code structure, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of user input validation mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient input validation mechanism that fails to properly sanitize or verify the data type of the 'question[id]' parameter. This parameter is intended to accept numeric values representing question identifiers, but the vulnerability allows attackers to inject arbitrary content that bypasses the expected input constraints. The weakness creates a pathway for malicious actors to submit values that deviate from the specified numeric or file path requirements, essentially allowing for type confusion or injection attacks. This bypass occurs at the parameter validation layer, where the system does not adequately enforce the expected data format or type, leaving the application susceptible to unintended data processing.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple input validation failure, creating potential avenues for more serious security breaches within wordpress installations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to manipulate question identifiers in ways that may lead to data corruption, unauthorized access to survey data, or even privilege escalation within the plugin's administrative functions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects versions up to and including 8.0.4, indicating that a substantial number of wordpress sites could be running vulnerable code. This creates a widespread exposure that could be exploited across numerous organizations, from small businesses to large enterprises that rely on wordpress for their digital presence.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) classification system, where this flaw aligns with CWE-20, which describes "Improper Input Validation" as a fundamental weakness that allows malicious inputs to be processed without proper sanitization. The attack surface for this vulnerability can be mapped to ATT&CK techniques such as T1059.001 for command injection and T1213.002 for data from information repositories, as attackers could potentially manipulate survey data or extract information through the compromised input validation. The vulnerability also presents risk for privilege escalation attacks if the plugin's administrative interface allows for question manipulation with elevated privileges. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest plugin version, implementing input validation at multiple layers, and conducting thorough security assessments of their wordpress installations. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous parameter submissions that may indicate exploitation attempts, while access controls should be reviewed to ensure that only authorized users can modify survey content.