Description
WordPress 4.8.2 stores cleartext wp_signups.activation_key values (but stores the analogous wp_users.user_activation_key values as hashes), which might make it easier for remote attackers to hijack unactivated user accounts by leveraging database read access (such as access gained through an unspecified SQL injection vulnerability).
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 | 4.8.2+dfsg-2 | — |
| Debian 13 | wordpress | 4.8.2+dfsg-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | wordpress | 4.8.2+dfsg-2 | — |
| Debian 9 | wordpress | 4.7.5+dfsg-2+deb9u1 | DSA-3997-1 |
| Debian 8 | wordpress | 4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u15 | DSA-3997-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
Advisories 1
- DSA-3997-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- DSA-3997 vendor-advisory
- 1039554 vdb-entry
- https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/38474