CVE-2026-24358 is a missing authorization vulnerability found in the Quiz And Survey Master plugin developed by ExpressTech Systems, affecting versions up to and including 10.3.3. This vulnerability arises due to incorrectly configured access control security levels, allowing users with limited privileges (PR:L) to perform unauthorized actions remotely (AV:N) without requiring user interaction (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, as unauthorized access can lead to data exposure, modification, or service disruption. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 8.8, reflecting a high severity level. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability suggests that attackers could leverage it to escalate privileges or manipulate quiz and survey data. The plugin is commonly used in WordPress environments to create and manage quizzes and surveys, often in educational, marketing, or research contexts. The missing authorization flaw means that access control checks are either absent or improperly implemented, enabling attackers to bypass restrictions and execute privileged operations. This could include accessing sensitive user data, altering survey results, or disrupting service availability. The vulnerability was published on January 22, 2026, and no official patches or mitigations have been linked yet, emphasizing the need for immediate attention from administrators.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2026-24358 can be significant, particularly for entities relying on WordPress-based quiz and survey tools for data collection, training, or customer engagement. Confidential data such as user responses, personally identifiable information (PII), or proprietary survey content could be exposed or altered, leading to privacy violations and reputational damage. Integrity breaches might result in falsified survey results or compromised training assessments, undermining decision-making processes. Availability impacts could disrupt business operations, especially for educational institutions or market research firms that depend on continuous access to these tools. Regulatory compliance risks are heightened under GDPR, as unauthorized data access or modification could trigger legal penalties. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive defense, but the high CVSS score indicates that exploitation could be straightforward and impactful once attackers develop techniques. Organizations with large user bases or sensitive data processed through the plugin face elevated risks.

Since no official patches are currently linked, European organizations should immediately audit their WordPress installations to identify the presence and version of the Quiz And Survey Master plugin. If affected versions (<=10.3.3) are found, administrators should restrict plugin access to trusted users only and enforce the principle of least privilege to minimize potential exploitation. Implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with custom rules to detect and block suspicious requests targeting the plugin’s endpoints can help mitigate risk. Monitoring logs for unusual access patterns or privilege escalation attempts is critical. Organizations should also prepare to apply vendor patches promptly once released and consider temporary disabling or replacing the plugin with alternative solutions if feasible. Conducting internal penetration testing focused on access control weaknesses in the plugin can uncover additional risks. Finally, raising user awareness about potential phishing or social engineering attempts that could facilitate exploitation is advisable.