CVE-2024-1079 identifies a missing authorization vulnerability (CWE-862) in the ays-pro Quiz Maker plugin for WordPress, present in all versions up to and including 6.5.2.4. The vulnerability exists because the ays_show_results() function lacks proper capability checks, allowing unauthenticated users to invoke it and retrieve arbitrary quiz results. These results can include sensitive data such as personally identifiable information (PII) submitted by quiz participants. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable without requiring any authentication or user interaction, making it accessible to any attacker with network access to the affected WordPress site. The flaw does not affect the integrity or availability of the system but compromises confidentiality by exposing sensitive user data. No patches or fixes are currently linked, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability was assigned a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.3, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based with low attack complexity and no privileges or user interaction needed. This vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper authorization checks in WordPress plugin functions that handle sensitive data retrieval.

The primary impact of CVE-2024-1079 is the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive quiz result data, including personally identifiable information (PII). This can lead to privacy violations, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), and reputational damage for organizations operating affected WordPress sites. Attackers can harvest user data without authentication, potentially enabling further social engineering or targeted attacks. Although the vulnerability does not allow modification or deletion of data, the exposure of confidential information alone can have serious consequences, especially for organizations handling sensitive or regulated data. The scope of impact is broad given the widespread use of WordPress and the popularity of quiz plugins for engagement and data collection. Organizations relying on the ays-pro Quiz Maker plugin are at risk of data breaches until the vulnerability is remediated. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future attacks.

1. Immediately audit all WordPress sites using the ays-pro Quiz Maker plugin to identify affected versions (all versions up to 6.5.2.4). 2. Monitor the vendor's official channels for patches or updates addressing CVE-2024-1079 and apply them promptly once available. 3. As a temporary measure, restrict access to the ays_show_results() function endpoint via web application firewall (WAF) rules or server-level access controls to block unauthenticated requests. 4. Implement strict role-based access controls (RBAC) and capability checks in custom plugin code if modifications are possible. 5. Review and minimize the amount of PII collected and stored in quiz results to reduce exposure risk. 6. Enable logging and monitoring for unusual access patterns to quiz result data endpoints. 7. Educate site administrators about the risks of unauthorized data access and encourage regular plugin updates and security best practices. 8. Consider disabling or replacing the plugin if immediate patching is not feasible and sensitive data exposure is a critical concern.