CVE-2024-50485
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows attackers to escalate privileges in the Exam Matrix WordPress plugin due to incorrect privilege assignment. Attackers can gain administrative access to affected WordPress sites. All WordPress sites running Exam Matrix plugin versions up to 1.5 are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Exam Matrix Plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of WordPress site with administrative access, allowing data theft, defacement, malware installation, and further network penetration.
Likely Case
Attackers gain administrative privileges to modify content, install malicious plugins/themes, steal sensitive data, and maintain persistent access.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls, monitoring, and network segmentation are in place to detect and contain privilege escalation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Privilege escalation vulnerabilities in WordPress plugins are commonly exploited. Requires some level of access to initiate.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 1.6 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/exam-matrix/wordpress-exam-matrix-plugin-1-5-privilege-escalation-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find Exam Matrix plugin. 4. Click 'Update Now' if update available. 5. If no update, deactivate and delete plugin, then install latest version from WordPress repository.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Exam Matrix Plugin
allTemporarily disable the vulnerable plugin until patched version is available.
wp plugin deactivate exam-matrix
Restrict User Role Capabilities
allUse role management plugins to restrict non-admin user capabilities and monitor for privilege changes.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict network segmentation to isolate WordPress instance from critical systems
- Enable detailed user activity logging and implement SIEM alerts for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for Exam Matrix version 1.5 or earlier.Check Version:
wp plugin get exam-matrix --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify Exam Matrix plugin version is 1.6 or later in WordPress admin panel.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unexpected user role changes in WordPress logs
- Administrative actions from non-admin users
- Plugin activation/deactivation events
Network Indicators:
- Unusual admin panel access patterns
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by successful admin access
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("user_role_changed" OR "capabilities_modified" OR "admin_login" from non-admin_user)