Description
In affected versions of WordPress, misuse of the `set-screen-option` filter's return value allows arbitrary user meta fields to be saved. It does require an admin to install a plugin that would misuse the filter. Once installed, it can be leveraged by low privileged users. This has been patched in version 5.4.2, along with all the previously affected versions via a minor release (5.3.4, 5.2.7, 5.1.6, 5.0.10, 4.9.15, 4.8.14, 4.7.18, 4.6.19, 4.5.22, 4.4.23, 4.3.24, 4.2.28, 4.1.31, 4.0.31, 3.9.32, 3.8.34, 3.7.34).
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress | wordpress-develop | >= 5.4.0, < 5.4.2, >= 5.3.0, < 5.3.4, >= 5.2.0, < 5.2.7, >= 5.1.0, < 5.1.6, >= 5.0.0, < 5.0.10, >= 4.9.0, < 4.9.15, >= 4.8.0, < 4.8.14, >= 4.7.0, < 4.7.18, >= 4.6.0, < 4.6.19, >= 4.5.0, < 4.5.22, >= 4.4.0, < 4.4.23, >= 4.3.0, < 4.3.24, >= 4.2.0, < 4.2.28, >= 4.1.0, < 4.1.31, >= 4.0.0, < 4.0.31, >= … | — |
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 | 5.4.2+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 13 | wordpress | 5.4.2+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 12 | wordpress | 5.4.2+dfsg1-1 | — |
| Debian 10 | wordpress | 5.0.10+dfsg1-0+deb10u1 | DSA-4709-1 |
| Debian 9 | wordpress | 4.7.18+dfsg-1+deb9u1 | DLA-2371-1 |
Show 1 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 8 | wordpress | 4.1.31+dfsg-0+deb8u1 | DLA-2269-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 22.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 20.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 18.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | wordpress | No fix yet | — |
Advisories 3
- DSA-4709-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-2371-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-2269-1 wordpress - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- https://wordpress.org/news/2020/06/wordpress-5-4-2-security-and-maintenance-release/
- https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-4vpv-fgg2-gcqc
- https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/b8dea76b495f0072523106c6ec46b9ea0d2a0920
- FEDORA-2020-8447a3e195 vendor-advisory
- FEDORA-2020-bbedd29391 vendor-advisory
- DSA-4709 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20200701 [SECURITY] [DLA 2269-1] wordpress security update mailing-list
- [debian-lts-announce] 20200911 [SECURITY] [DLA 2371-1] wordpress security update mailing-list