CVE-2019-8942

Name: CVE-2019-8942
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2019-02-20T03:29:00.25+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

UnknownEPSS 82.74%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2019-8942 is a vulnerability of currently unknown severity. WordPress before 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1 allows remote code execution because an _wp_attached_file Post Meta entry can be changed to an arbitrary string, such as one ending with a .jpg?file.php substring. An attacker with author privileges can execute arbitrary code by uploading a crafted image containing PHP code in the Exif metadata. EPSS estimates a 82.74% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

WordPress before 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1 allows remote code execution because an _wp_attached_file Post Meta entry can be changed to an arbitrary string, such as one ending with a .jpg?file.php substring. An attacker with author privileges can execute arbitrary code by uploading a crafted image containing PHP code in the Exif metadata. Exploitation can leverage CVE-2019-8943.

Metrics

EPSS Probability

82.74%

99.6th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-434

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Wordpress	Wordpress	< 4.9.9
Wordpress	Wordpress	5.0
Debian	Debian Linux	9.0

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152396/WordPress-5.0.0-crop-image-Shell-Upload.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/wp_crop_rceExploit, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107088Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://blog.ripstech.com/2019/wordpress-image-remote-code-execution/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/03/msg00044.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9222Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4401Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46511/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46662/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152396/WordPress-5.0.0-crop-image-Shell-Upload.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/wp_crop_rceExploit, Third Party Advisory
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107088Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://blog.ripstech.com/2019/wordpress-image-remote-code-execution/Exploit, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/03/msg00044.htmlExploit, Third Party Advisory
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9222Third Party Advisory
https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4401Third Party Advisory
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46511/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46662/Exploit, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry

Timeline

Published: Feb 20, 2019
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2019-8942?

How severe is CVE-2019-8942?

Severity scoring for CVE-2019-8942 is pending analysis. The EPSS model estimates a 82.74% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2019-8942?

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-2019-8942?

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

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST