CVE-2016-6896

7.1 HIGH
Published: January 18, 2017 Modified: May 13, 2026
View on NVD

Description

Directory traversal vulnerability in the wp_ajax_update_plugin function in wp-admin/includes/ajax-actions.php in WordPress 4.5.3 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service or read certain text files via a .. (dot dot) in the plugin parameter to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, as demonstrated by /dev/random read operations that deplete the entropy pool.

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CVSS v3.x Details

0.0 Low Medium High Critical 10.0
Vector String
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Patch Vendor Advisory Exploit Third Party Advisory
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/20/1
Source: cve@mitre.org
Mailing List Third Party Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036683
Source: cve@mitre.org
https://sumofpwn.nl/advisory/2016/path_traversal_vulnerability_in_wordpress_core_ajax_handlers.html
Source: cve@mitre.org
Exploit Technical Description Third Party Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8606
Source: cve@mitre.org
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40288/
Source: cve@mitre.org
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/20/1
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Mailing List Third Party Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036683
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
https://sumofpwn.nl/advisory/2016/path_traversal_vulnerability_in_wordpress_core_ajax_handlers.html
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Exploit Technical Description Third Party Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8606
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40288/
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108

10 reference(s) from NVD

Quick Stats

CVSS v3 Score
7.1 / 10.0
EPSS (Exploit Probability)
38.4%
98th percentile
Exploitation Status
Not in CISA KEV

Weaknesses (CWE)

CWE-22

Affected Vendors

wordpress

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