Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This issue affects the Survey Maker WordPress plugin through version 2.0.6. An unauthenticated attacker could store malicious script content that later runs when another user views the affected survey content. Business impact is limited by required victim interaction, but it can still support account abuse or site trust damage.
Executive priority
Treat as a timely hygiene fix for public WordPress sites, not an emergency absent exploitation evidence. Prioritize sites using Survey Maker <= 2.0.6, especially where administrators frequently view survey results or public survey content.
Technical view
CVE-2021-26256 is an unauthenticated stored XSS in Survey Maker for WordPress, versions <= 2.0.6. It is classified as CWE-79 with CVSS 3.1 score 4.7: network exploitable, low complexity, no privileges, user interaction required, changed scope, low integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to WordPress sites that installed Survey Maker version 2.0.6 or earlier, especially sites with publicly reachable survey pages. The source bundle does not identify affected CPEs or a specific fixed version.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as CISA KEV in the supplied data, and the provided sources do not claim active exploitation. The vulnerability is unauthenticated, but successful impact requires a victim to view affected stored content.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports affected product and version range, weakness class, and CVSS characteristics. The supplied bundle does not provide exploit details, proof of active exploitation, or a confirmed fixed version, so remediation should rely on current vendor or Patchstack guidance.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for Survey Maker plugin installations.
- If version is <= 2.0.6, check vendor and Patchstack guidance immediately.
- Update to a vendor-confirmed fixed release if available.
- Disable or remove the plugin until fixed if no safe update is confirmed.
- Review survey content for unexpected scripts or unauthorized changes.
Validation and detection
- Confirm the installed Survey Maker version in WordPress administration.
- Verify whether public survey pages are reachable by unauthenticated users.
- Check vendor changelog and Patchstack entry for fixed-version guidance.
- Review recent survey submissions or content changes for suspicious script content.
- Confirm remediation by rechecking plugin version after update or removal.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-26256 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 4.7 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N2.81.4Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
4.7MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://wordpress.org/plugins/survey-maker/#developersCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://patchstack.com/database/vulnerability/survey-maker/wordpress-survey-maker-plugin-2-0-6-unauthenticated-stored-cross-site-scripting-xss-vulnerabilityCVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting')
Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.