Description
The sanitize_widget_instance function in wp-includes/class-wp-customize-widgets.php in WordPress before 4.2.4 does not use a constant-time comparison for widgets, which allows remote attackers to conduct a timing side-channel attack by measuring the delay before inequality is calculated.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 14 | wordpress | 4.2.4+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wordpress | 4.2.4+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wordpress | 4.2.4+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | wordpress | 4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u4 | DSA-3332-1 |
Advisories 1
- DSA-3332-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://wordpress.org/news/2015/08/wordpress-4-2-4-security-and-maintenance-release/
- https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/33535
- 76160 vdb-entry
- [oss-security] 20150804 Re: CVE request: WordPress 4.2.3 and earlier multiple vulnerabilities mailing-list
- 1033178 vdb-entry
- DSA-3332 vendor-advisory
- https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8130
- https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/33536
- https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.2.4