CVE-2024-3592 in Quiz and Survey Master Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 06/07/2024
The Quiz And Survey Master – Best Quiz, Exam and Survey Plugin for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'question_id' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 9.0.1 due to insufficient escaping on the user supplied parameter and lack of sufficient preparation on the existing SQL query. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with contributor-level access and above, to append additional SQL queries into already existing queries that can be used to extract sensitive information from the database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3592 affects the Quiz And Survey Master plugin for WordPress, a widely used tool for creating quizzes, exams, and surveys on WordPress websites. This plugin has been installed on numerous WordPress sites across the internet, making it a potentially significant attack vector for malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically resides in the handling of the 'question_id' parameter within the plugin's codebase, where insufficient input validation and sanitization occurs. The issue impacts all versions up to and including 9.0.1, indicating a long-standing problem that has not been properly addressed in recent updates. This SQL injection vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited by attackers who have already gained some level of access to the WordPress system.
The technical flaw stems from improper escaping of user-supplied input parameters within the SQL query construction process. When the plugin processes the 'question_id' parameter, it fails to properly sanitize or prepare the input before incorporating it into database queries. This lack of proper input validation creates an environment where attackers can manipulate the SQL execution flow by injecting malicious SQL code fragments. The vulnerability is classified as a classic SQL injection flaw, where the attacker can append additional SQL commands to existing queries through the vulnerable parameter. This allows for the execution of unauthorized database operations that can be used to extract, modify, or delete sensitive information stored within the WordPress database. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only contributor-level access or higher, meaning that users with relatively low privileges can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized access to database contents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data extraction, as it provides attackers with the capability to perform various malicious activities within the compromised WordPress environment. An authenticated attacker with contributor privileges can leverage this vulnerability to access sensitive user data, including personal information, login credentials, and other confidential data stored in the plugin's database tables. The potential for data exfiltration increases significantly as attackers can craft complex SQL queries to extract specific information or even entire database structures. This vulnerability can also serve as a foothold for further attacks, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or move laterally within the compromised WordPress installation. The impact is particularly severe for websites that store sensitive information through quizzes and surveys, as the database may contain personal user data, survey responses, and other confidential information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-3592 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable plugin to the latest version where the SQL injection vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement additional security measures such as input validation at multiple layers, including application-level filtering and database-level query preparation using parameterized queries. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, limiting user access to only necessary capabilities within the WordPress environment. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which specifically addresses SQL injection flaws, and follows attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol manipulation. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other plugins and themes within the WordPress ecosystem.