CVE-2024-6028 is a critical SQL Injection vulnerability identified in the ays-pro Quiz Maker plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions up to and including 6.5.8.3. The vulnerability arises from improper neutralization of special elements in the 'ays_questions' parameter, which is used in SQL commands without adequate escaping or prepared statements. This flaw enables unauthenticated attackers to perform time-based SQL Injection attacks by injecting malicious SQL payloads that alter the intended query logic. The exploitation can lead to unauthorized data extraction, modification, or deletion within the backend database, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected systems. The vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without requiring any authentication or user interaction, increasing its risk profile. The CVSS v3.1 score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability, highlighting its potential for severe impact. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild yet, the widespread deployment of WordPress and the popularity of the Quiz Maker plugin make this a high-risk vulnerability. The lack of patches at the time of disclosure necessitates immediate defensive measures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which pertains to improper neutralization of special elements used in SQL commands, a common and dangerous injection flaw. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can extract sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, or administrative details, potentially leading to further compromise or lateral movement within the victim’s environment.

The impact of CVE-2024-6028 is severe for organizations using the ays-pro Quiz Maker plugin on WordPress sites. Successful exploitation can lead to full database compromise, including unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information such as user data, credentials, and configuration details. This can result in data breaches, regulatory non-compliance, reputational damage, and potential financial losses. Attackers can also modify or delete data, disrupting service availability and integrity. Since the vulnerability requires no authentication and no user interaction, it can be exploited by automated attacks at scale, increasing the likelihood of widespread compromise. Organizations hosting public-facing WordPress sites with this plugin are at risk of targeted or opportunistic attacks. The vulnerability also poses a risk to downstream systems integrated with the affected database, potentially enabling further exploitation or pivoting. The critical CVSS score reflects the high potential for damage and ease of exploitation, making this a top priority for remediation in affected environments.

1. Immediately update the ays-pro Quiz Maker plugin to a patched version once available from the vendor. Monitor vendor communications for official patches. 2. If patching is not immediately possible, disable or uninstall the vulnerable plugin to eliminate the attack surface. 3. Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with robust SQL Injection detection and prevention rules to block malicious payloads targeting the 'ays_questions' parameter. 4. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data, especially parameters used in SQL queries. 5. Use prepared statements with parameterized queries in plugin code to prevent injection flaws. 6. Monitor database logs and web server logs for unusual query patterns or error messages indicative of SQL Injection attempts. 7. Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing focused on WordPress plugins and custom code. 8. Restrict database user privileges to the minimum necessary to limit the impact of any successful injection. 9. Educate site administrators and developers about secure coding practices and timely patch management. 10. Maintain regular backups of website and database content to enable recovery in case of compromise.