WordPress Authenticated XXE attack when installation is running PHP 8
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · Low · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
Wordpress is an open source CMS. A user with the ability to upload files (like an Author) can exploit an XML parsing issue in the Media Library leading to XXE attacks. This requires WordPress installation to be using PHP 8. Access to internal files is possible in a successful XXE attack. This has been patched in WordPress version 5.7.1, along with the older affected versions via a minor release. We strongly recommend you keep auto-updates enabled.
Why it matters now
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | wordpress-develop | 5.6.0 to before 5.7.1 | 5.7.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- wordpress-develop VendorWordPress Affected 5.6.0 to before 5.7.1 Fixed in 5.7.1 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA wordpress-develop (WordPress) Fixed in 5.7.1
Fixed in the same release
Records fixed by the same vendor advisory or release, as the CNA lists them.
- Advisory ·
wordpress-develop — DSA-4896
2 records Highest priority Priority HIGH 1 HIGH, 1 LOW
Other records, highest priority first
- TI-2021-10163 WordPress Authenticated disclosure of password-protected posts and pagesPriority LOW 33
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2021-29447
References
Exploit 2
Advisory 5
- https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-rv47-pc52-qrhh
- https://wordpress.org/news/category/security/
- [debian-lts-announce] 20210421 [SECURITY] [DLA 2630-1] wordpress security update
- DSA-4896
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/163148/XML-External-Entity-Via-MP3-File-Upload-On-WordPress.html
More Wordpress vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-45010 WordPress < 7.0.2 - REST API batch-route confusion and SQL injection issue leading to Remote Code Execution KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2016-08118 The mailSend function in the isMail transport in PHPMailer before 5.2.18 might allow… KEVCVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-83466 Predictable staging paths let attackers run code in WordPress Core KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
- TI-2026-59973 An unauthenticated attacker can make `get_page_template()` page-template resolution… KEVCVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
- TI-2016-08129 The isMail transport in PHPMailer before 5.2.20 might allow remote attackers to pass… CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2026-42844 WordPress < 7.0.2 - Facilitated SQL Injection via author__not_in in WP_Query KEVCVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.9
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences