In wp-includes/formatting.php in WordPress 3.7 to 5.3.0, the function…
Priority LOW 32CWE-79Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Cross-site scripting
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · None
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-79.
Summary
In wp-includes/formatting.php in WordPress 3.7 to 5.3.0, the function wp_targeted_link_rel() can be used in a particular way to result in a stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability. This has been patched in WordPress 5.3.1, along with all the previous WordPress versions from 3.7 to 5.3 via a minor release.
Why it matters now
EPSS 0.02762 86th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix No fix listed No fixed version in the sources yet
SSVC decision points
Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | all versions | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- — Vendor— Affected all versions Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Vendor assessments
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2019-20042
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-xgvp-37rp-x96c
References
Patch 2
Advisory 7
- https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9975
- https://wordpress.org/news/2019/12/wordpress-5-3-1-security-and-maintenance-release/
- 20200108 [SECURITY] [DSA 4599-1] wordpress security update
- DSA-4599
- https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-xvg2-m2f4-83m7
- https://hackerone.com/reports/509930
- DSA-4677
Sources
- CVE-2019-20042 · CVE Program
- CVE-2019-20042 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-xgvp-37rp-x96c · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
- CVE-2019-20042 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences