Description
In WordPress before 5.3.1, authenticated users with lower privileges (like contributors) can inject JavaScript code in the block editor, which is executed within the dashboard. It can lead to an admin opening the affected post in the editor leading to XSS.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | WordPress | < 5.3.1 – < 5.3.1 | 5.3.1 |
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 | 5.3.2+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wordpress | 5.3.2+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wordpress | 5.3.2+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 10 | wordpress | 5.0.4+dfsg1-1+deb10u1 | DSA-4599-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
Advisories 1
- DSA-4599-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9976
- https://wordpress.org/news/2019/12/wordpress-5-3-1-security-and-maintenance-release/
- https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-pg4x-64rh-3c9v
- https://hackerone.com/reports/731301
- 20200108 [SECURITY] [DSA 4599-1] wordpress security update mailing-list
- DSA-4599 vendor-advisory
- DSA-4677 vendor-advisory