CVE-2024-55998 in Popup Surveys & Polls Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/16/2024
Missing Authorization vulnerability in dusthazard Popup Surveys & Polls for WordPress (Mare.io) allows Exploiting Incorrectly Configured Access Control Security Levels.This issue affects Popup Surveys & Polls for WordPress (Mare.io): from n/a through 1.36.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The CVE-2024-55998 vulnerability represents a critical missing authorization flaw within the Popup Surveys & Polls plugin for WordPress developed by Mare.io. This security weakness stems from incorrectly configured access control security levels that permit unauthorized users to exploit functionality intended only for administrators or authorized personnel. The vulnerability exists in plugin versions ranging from the initial release through version 1.36, indicating a prolonged period during which systems remained exposed to potential exploitation. The issue fundamentally undermines the principle of least privilege by allowing attackers to bypass normal authentication mechanisms and access restricted administrative functions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through improper validation of user permissions within the plugin's codebase. When users interact with the popup survey and polling features, the system fails to adequately verify whether the requesting user possesses the necessary administrative privileges to perform specific actions. This misconfiguration creates an access control gap where malicious actors can manipulate API endpoints or administrative interfaces to execute unauthorized operations. The flaw typically occurs when the plugin does not properly check user roles or capabilities before processing sensitive requests, allowing any authenticated user to potentially access or modify survey configurations, poll results, or other administrative features.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, potentially enabling attackers to compromise entire WordPress installations through the compromised plugin. An attacker exploiting this weakness could modify survey settings, manipulate poll data, access confidential user information, or even inject malicious code through the administrative interfaces. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple versions suggests that organizations running affected installations face ongoing risk without immediate patching or mitigation measures. This type of access control failure aligns with CWE-284, which specifically addresses improper access control vulnerabilities in software systems.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as a significant risk to WordPress environments, particularly those relying on third-party plugins for user engagement features. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation techniques, where attackers leverage misconfigured access controls to gain elevated permissions within the system. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including plugin updates, role-based access control hardening, and monitoring for unauthorized administrative activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security audits of WordPress plugins, as third-party components often represent the most common attack vectors in web application security breaches.