The wp_ajax_update_plugin function in wp-admin/includes/ajax-actions.php in WordPress before 4.6 makes a get_plugin_data call before checking the update_plugins capability, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended read-access restrictions via the plugin parameter to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, a related issue to CVE-2016-6896.
An official patch is available. Apply the patch as soon as possible.
CVSS v4.0 Metrics
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
ComplexityLow
RequirementsPresent
PrivilegesLow
User InteractionNone
Threat
Exploit MaturityPoC
Vulnerable System
ConfidentialityLow
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
Subsequent System
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
Supplemental
SafetyNegligible
AutomatableYes
RecoveryAutomatic
Value DensityConcentrated
UrgencyMedium
Patch StatusOfficial Patch
Change Log
| Date | Source | Changes | Score |
|---|
| 2026-07-21 | PoC | E: U→P | 0.6 → 1.3 |
| 2026-07-21 | nvd | AV: P→N, AC: H→L, PR: H→L, UI: A→N, VC: N→L | 0.0 → 0.6 |
| 2026-07-21 | nvd | patch: Unavailable→Official Patch | 0.0 → 0.0 |
| 2026-07-21 | cve.org | initial, patch: Unavailable | 0.0 |
Affected Software
| Vendor | Product | Version |
|---|
| wordpress | wordpress | ≤ 4.5.5 |
Published: 2017-01-18
