CVE-2026-107862 in Quiz and Survey Master Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 10/12/2026
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') vulnerability in ExpressTech Quiz And Survey Master quiz-master-next allows DOM-Based XSS.This issue affects Quiz And Survey Master: from n/a through 11.2.7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a classic Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) flaw, specifically categorized under the CWE-80 standard for Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation. This particular instance manifests as a DOM-Based XSS within the ExpressTech Quiz And Survey Master plugin, affecting versions ranging from its initial release through version 11.2.7. Unlike stored or reflected XSS where malicious payloads are typically embedded in server-side responses or URL parameters that trigger immediate execution upon page load, this vulnerability relies on client-side script processing. The attack vector involves manipulating the Document Object Model (DOM) environment directly, allowing an attacker to inject executable JavaScript code into a victim's browser session through manipulated input fields or URLs that are subsequently processed by vulnerable front-end scripts without adequate sanitization.
From a technical perspective, the core issue lies in the failure of the application to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data before it is used as input for dynamic HTML generation or DOM manipulation functions such as innerHTML, document.write, or unsafe jQuery methods like $.html(). When an attacker crafts a malicious payload containing JavaScript code, often disguised within seemingly benign text inputs or URL parameters associated with quiz questions, survey responses, or administrative settings, the vulnerable script interprets this content as executable commands rather than plain data. Because DOM-based XSS does not require server-side modification of the page source to trigger, it can be executed entirely on the client side, making detection by traditional web application firewalls more challenging unless they are specifically configured to monitor for suspicious DOM manipulation patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant due to its potential for session hijacking and credential theft. An attacker who successfully exploits this flaw can execute arbitrary JavaScript in the context of the victim's browser, which shares the same origin as the vulnerable web application. This allows the malicious script to access sensitive cookies, including authentication tokens and session identifiers, potentially leading to unauthorized account takeover. Furthermore, the attacker could perform actions on behalf of the authenticated user, such as modifying quiz results, altering survey settings, or defacing the public-facing interface by injecting misleading content. In administrative contexts, this could lead to a complete compromise of the WordPress installation if higher-privilege accounts are targeted, allowing for further lateral movement within the network infrastructure.
This vulnerability aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers JavaScript execution, and specifically relates to browser-based attacks where client-side scripts are abused to bypass security controls. The lack of input validation places the responsibility on developers to implement robust sanitization strategies. Mitigation efforts must prioritize upgrading the plugin to a version beyond 11.2.7 where these issues have been addressed by the vendor. For organizations unable to upgrade immediately, implementing strict Content Security Policy (CSP) headers can significantly reduce the impact by restricting the sources from which scripts are allowed to execute, thereby preventing the injection of external malicious code even if the DOM is manipulated. Additionally, developers should ensure that all user inputs destined for HTML contexts are encoded using appropriate libraries such as OWASP Java Encoder or equivalent PHP sanitization functions like wp_kses_post in WordPress environments to neutralize special characters before they reach the browser's rendering engine.