Description
wp-includes/ms-functions.php in the Multisite WordPress API in WordPress before 4.7.1 does not properly choose random numbers for keys, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted (1) site signup or (2) user signup.
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 | 4.7.1+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wordpress | 4.7.1+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wordpress | 4.7.1+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | wordpress | 4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u12 | DSA-3779-1 |
| Debian 7 | wordpress | 3.6.1+dfsg-1~deb7u13 | DLA-813-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
Advisories 2
- DLA-813-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3779-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8721
- 95401 vdb-entry
- DSA-3779 vendor-advisory
- https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.7.1
- [oss-security] 20170114 Re: CVE Request: Wordpress: 8 security issues in 4.7 mailing-list
- 1037591 vdb-entry
- https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/cea9e2dc62abf777e06b12ec4ad9d1aaa49b29f4
- https://wordpress.org/news/2017/01/wordpress-4-7-1-security-and-maintenance-release/