CVE-2026-24998: Hustle WordPress Plugin Disclosure Flaw

CVE-2026-24998 Overview

CVE-2026-24998 is a Sensitive Data Exposure vulnerability affecting the WPMU DEV Hustle WordPress plugin (also known as wordpress-popup). This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to retrieve embedded sensitive system information from affected WordPress installations. The flaw stems from improper exposure of sensitive system information to unauthorized control spheres, classified under CWE-497.

Critical Impact

Unauthenticated attackers can remotely extract sensitive system information from WordPress sites running vulnerable versions of the Hustle plugin, potentially enabling further targeted attacks.

Affected Products

• WPMU DEV Hustle WordPress Plugin versions through 7.8.9.2
• WordPress sites with the wordpress-popup plugin installed
• All WordPress installations using vulnerable Hustle plugin versions

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-03 - CVE-2026-24998 published to NVD
• 2026-02-03 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-24998

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability falls under the category of Exposure of Sensitive System Information to an Unauthorized Control Sphere (CWE-497). The Hustle plugin, a popular WordPress marketing solution used for creating popups, opt-in forms, and slide-ins, fails to properly restrict access to sensitive system information.

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated remote attackers to retrieve embedded sensitive data from the WordPress installation. This type of information disclosure can reveal critical details about the server environment, WordPress configuration, plugin versions, and potentially database connection information that could be leveraged for subsequent attacks.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper access control within the Hustle plugin that exposes sensitive system information without requiring authentication. The plugin fails to adequately validate authorization before serving sensitive data, allowing any network-accessible user to retrieve this information.

CWE-497 specifically addresses scenarios where products expose sensitive system data to actors outside the intended control sphere. In this case, the Hustle plugin inadvertently makes internal system details accessible to unauthorized external parties.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2026-24998 is network-based and requires no authentication or user interaction. An attacker can remotely access vulnerable WordPress installations and extract sensitive system information through the Hustle plugin's exposed endpoints.

The exploitation process typically involves:

1. Identifying WordPress sites running vulnerable versions of the Hustle plugin
2. Sending crafted requests to retrieve embedded sensitive data
3. Analyzing the exposed information for further attack vectors
4. Potentially using disclosed information for targeted attacks against the WordPress installation

Since no code examples are available from verified sources, administrators should consult the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for detailed technical information about the vulnerability mechanism.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-24998

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected HTTP requests targeting Hustle plugin endpoints from unknown IP addresses
• Unusual access patterns to WordPress plugin directories, particularly /wp-content/plugins/wordpress-popup/
• Log entries showing requests attempting to enumerate plugin information or system data
• Suspicious outbound data transfers containing system configuration details

Detection Strategies

• Monitor web server access logs for unusual requests to Hustle plugin endpoints
• Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to detect information disclosure attempts
• Deploy SentinelOne Singularity for real-time endpoint monitoring and threat detection
• Review WordPress audit logs for unauthorized access attempts to plugin resources

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed logging for all WordPress plugin activity and API requests
• Configure alerts for high-volume requests to plugin-related endpoints from single IP addresses
• Implement rate limiting on WordPress installations to mitigate automated scanning
• Regularly audit installed plugin versions against known vulnerability databases

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-24998

Immediate Actions Required

• Update the Hustle plugin (wordpress-popup) to the latest patched version immediately
• Audit WordPress installations to identify all instances running vulnerable Hustle versions (7.8.9.2 and earlier)
• Review web server logs for potential exploitation attempts targeting the vulnerable endpoints
• Consider temporarily disabling the Hustle plugin if an immediate update is not possible

Patch Information

Organizations should update the Hustle WordPress plugin to a version newer than 7.8.9.2. Check the official WPMU DEV repository or WordPress plugin directory for the latest secure release. For detailed patch information, refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.

Workarounds

• Implement WAF rules to block suspicious requests targeting the Hustle plugin endpoints
• Restrict access to WordPress admin and plugin directories using .htaccess or server configuration
• Temporarily deactivate the Hustle plugin until a patched version can be deployed
• Use security plugins to add additional access control layers to sensitive WordPress endpoints

# Example .htaccess restriction for WordPress plugin directory
<Directory "/var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/wordpress-popup">
    <Files "*.php">
        Require ip 127.0.0.1
        Require ip ::1
    </Files>
</Directory>