CVE-2019-16781

Name: CVE-2019-16781
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-12-26T17:15:13.613+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

MEDIUMCVSS 5.4/10EPSS 1.40%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-16781 is a medium-severity vulnerability rated 5.4/10 on the CVSS scale. In WordPress before 5.3.1, authenticated users with lower privileges (like contributors) can inject JavaScript code in the block editor, which is executed within the dashboard. It can lead to an admin opening the affected post in the editor leading to XSS.. EPSS estimates a 1.40% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

In WordPress before 5.3.1, authenticated users with lower privileges (like contributors) can inject JavaScript code in the block editor, which is executed within the dashboard. It can lead to an admin opening the affected post in the editor leading to XSS.

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

1.40%

69.0th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Wordpress	Wordpress	< 5.3.1
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0

References

https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-pg4x-64rh-3c9vThird Party Advisory
https://hackerone.com/reports/731301Permissions 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/security/advisories/GHSA-pg4x-64rh-3c9vThird Party Advisory
https://hackerone.com/reports/731301Permissions 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-2019-16781?

How severe is CVE-2019-16781?

CVE-2019-16781 has a CVSS score of 5.4/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 1.40% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-16781?

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-2019-16781?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST