CVE-2019-16780

Name: CVE-2019-16780
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-12-26T17:15:13.503+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.4/10EPSS 1.72%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-16780 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.4/10 on the CVSS scale. WordPress users with lower privileges (like contributors) can inject JavaScript code in the block editor using a specific payload, which is executed within the dashboard. This can lead to XSS if an admin opens the post in the editor. EPSS estimates a 1.72% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

WordPress users with lower privileges (like contributors) can inject JavaScript code in the block editor using a specific payload, which is executed within the dashboard. This can lead to XSS if an admin opens the post in the editor. Execution of this attack does require an authenticated user. This has been patched in WordPress 5.3.1, along with all the previous WordPress versions from 3.7 to 5.3 via a minor release. Automatic updates are enabled by default for minor releases and we strongly recommend that you keep them enabled.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.4/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

EPSS Probability

1.72%

74.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Wordpress	Wordpress	> 3.7, < 5.3.1
Wordpress	Wordpress	3.7
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0

References

https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/505dd6a20b6fc3d06130018c1caeff764248c29ePatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-x3wp-h3qx-9w94Third Party Advisory
https://hackerone.com/reports/738644Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/8Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://wordpress.org/news/2019/12/wordpress-5-3-1-security-and-maintenance-release/Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9976Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4599Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4677Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/505dd6a20b6fc3d06130018c1caeff764248c29ePatch, Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-x3wp-h3qx-9w94Third Party Advisory
https://hackerone.com/reports/738644Permissions Required, Third Party Advisory
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/8Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://wordpress.org/news/2019/12/wordpress-5-3-1-security-and-maintenance-release/Release Notes, Third Party Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9976Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4599Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4677Third Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Dec 26, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-16780?

How severe is CVE-2019-16780?

CVE-2019-16780 has a CVSS score of 5.4/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.72% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-16780?

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-2019-16780?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST