CVE-2026-24544
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a Missing Authorization vulnerability in the HD Quiz WordPress plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. Attackers can exploit incorrectly configured security levels to perform unauthorized actions. This affects all WordPress sites running HD Quiz version 2.0.9 or earlier.
💻 Affected Systems
- Harmonic Design HD Quiz WordPress 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
Attackers could modify quiz content, access sensitive user data, or manipulate quiz results and scores.
Likely Case
Unauthorized users could edit or delete quizzes, potentially disrupting website functionality.
If Mitigated
With proper access controls, only authorized administrators can manage quiz content.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires some level of access but can be performed by users with lower privileges than intended.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 2.1.0 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://patchstack.com/database/Wordpress/Plugin/hd-quiz/vulnerability/wordpress-hd-quiz-plugin-2-0-9-broken-access-control-vulnerability?_s_id=cve
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel. 2. Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins. 3. Find HD Quiz and click 'Update Now'. 4. Alternatively, download version 2.1.0+ from WordPress repository and manually update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Temporary Plugin Deactivation
allDisable the HD Quiz plugin until patched to prevent exploitation.
wp plugin deactivate hd-quiz
Access Restriction via .htaccess
linuxRestrict access to plugin directories for non-admin users.
# Add to .htaccess in wp-content/plugins/hd-quiz/
Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 127.0.0.1
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict role-based access controls in WordPress to limit who can access plugin management functions.
- Monitor plugin directories for unauthorized file modifications and implement file integrity monitoring.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel > Plugins > Installed Plugins for HD Quiz version number.Check Version:
wp plugin list --name=hd-quiz --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify HD Quiz version is 2.1.0 or higher in WordPress plugins list.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized POST requests to /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php with hd_quiz actions
- Unexpected user role attempting quiz management functions
Network Indicators:
- Unusual traffic patterns to plugin-specific endpoints from unauthorized IPs
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND (uri_path="/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php" AND post_data CONTAINS "hd_quiz") AND user_role!="administrator"