Description
In WordPress before 4.7.3, there is authenticated Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) via Media File Metadata. This is demonstrated by both (1) mishandling of the playlist shortcode in the wp_playlist_shortcode function in wp-includes/media.php and (2) mishandling of meta information in the renderTracks function in wp-includes/js/mediaelement/wp-playlist.js.
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 | 4.7.3+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wordpress | 4.7.3+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wordpress | 4.7.3+dfsg-1 | — |
| Debian 8 | wordpress | 4.1+dfsg-1+deb8u13 | DSA-3815-1 |
| Debian 7 | wordpress | 3.6.1+dfsg-1~deb7u14 | DLA-860-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
Advisories 2
- DLA-860-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DSA-3815-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/28f838ca3ee205b6f39cd2bf23eb4e5f52796bd7
- 1037959 vdb-entry
- DSA-3815 vendor-advisory
- https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8765
- 96601 vdb-entry
- https://sumofpwn.nl/advisory/2016/wordpress_audio_playlist_functionality_is_affected_by_cross_site_scripting.html
- https://wordpress.org/news/2017/03/wordpress-4-7-3-security-and-maintenance-release/
- http://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/03/06/8
- https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.7.3