CVE-2016-6896

Name: CVE-2016-6896
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-01-18T21:59:00.277+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 38.45%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-6896 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. 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.. EPSS estimates a 38.45% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

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.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

38.45%

98.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-22

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Wordpress	Wordpress	4.5.3

References

http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/20/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036683
https://sumofpwn.nl/advisory/2016/path_traversal_vulnerability_in_wordpress_core_ajax_handlers.htmlExploit, Technical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8606
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40288/
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/20/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1036683
https://sumofpwn.nl/advisory/2016/path_traversal_vulnerability_in_wordpress_core_ajax_handlers.htmlExploit, Technical Description, Third Party Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8606
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/40288/

Timeline

Published: Jan 18, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6896?

How severe is CVE-2016-6896?

Severity scoring for CVE-2016-6896 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 38.45% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6896?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2016-6896?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST