CVE-2016-6896: Path Traversal
First published: Wed Jan 18 2017(Updated: )
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.
Credit: cve@mitre.org
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress | =4.5.3 |
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Reference Links
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2016-6896?
CVE-2016-6896 has a medium severity level as it allows denial of service or unauthorized file read access.
How do I fix CVE-2016-6896?
To fix CVE-2016-6896, upgrade WordPress to version 4.5.4 or higher.
Who is affected by CVE-2016-6896?
CVE-2016-6896 affects remote authenticated users using WordPress version 4.5.3.
What does CVE-2016-6896 allow an attacker to do?
CVE-2016-6896 allows an attacker to exploit directory traversal vulnerabilities to potentially read sensitive text files.
Is CVE-2016-6896 a bug in WordPress core?
Yes, CVE-2016-6896 is a vulnerability in the WordPress core affecting the wp_ajax_update_plugin function.
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