CVE-2018-20148

Name: CVE-2018-20148
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2018-12-14T20:29:00.39+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 30.89%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2018-20148 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. In WordPress before 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1, contributors could conduct PHP object injection attacks via crafted metadata in a wp.getMediaItem XMLRPC call. This is caused by mishandling of serialized data at phar:// URLs in the wp_get_attachment_thumb_file function in wp-includes/post.php.. EPSS estimates a 30.89% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In WordPress before 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1, contributors could conduct PHP object injection attacks via crafted metadata in a wp.getMediaItem XMLRPC call. This is caused by mishandling of serialized data at phar:// URLs in the wp_get_attachment_thumb_file function in wp-includes/post.php.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

30.89%

98.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-502

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Wordpress	Wordpress	< 4.9.9
Wordpress	Wordpress	>= 5.0, < 5.0.1
Debian	Debian Linux	8.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0

References

http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106220Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://blog.secarma.co.uk/labs/near-phar-dangerous-unserialization-wherever-you-areExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.9.9Product, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/02/msg00019.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://wordpress.org/news/2018/12/wordpress-5-0-1-security-release/Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://wordpress.org/support/wordpress-version/version-5-0-1/Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9171Vendor Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4401Third Party Advisory
https://www.zdnet.com/article/wordpress-plugs-bug-that-led-to-google-indexing-some-user-passwords/Press/Media Coverage, Third Party Advisory
https://www.zdnet.com/article/wordpress-vulnerability-affects-a-third-of-most-popular-websites-online/Press/Media Coverage, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/106220Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://blog.secarma.co.uk/labs/near-phar-dangerous-unserialization-wherever-you-areExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.9.9Product, Vendor Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/02/msg00019.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://wordpress.org/news/2018/12/wordpress-5-0-1-security-release/Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://wordpress.org/support/wordpress-version/version-5-0-1/Release Notes, Vendor Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9171Vendor Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4401Third Party Advisory
https://www.zdnet.com/article/wordpress-plugs-bug-that-led-to-google-indexing-some-user-passwords/Press/Media Coverage, Third Party Advisory
https://www.zdnet.com/article/wordpress-vulnerability-affects-a-third-of-most-popular-websites-online/Press/Media Coverage, Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 14, 2018
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2018-20148?

How severe is CVE-2018-20148?

Severity scoring for CVE-2018-20148 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 30.89% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2018-20148?

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-2018-20148?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST