CVE-2020-4050: set-screen-option filter misuse by plugins leading to privilege escalation in WordPress

Published Jun 12, 2020
·
Updated

In affected versions of WordPress, misuse of the set-screen-option filter's return value allows arbitrary user meta fields to be saved. It does require an admin to install a plugin that would misuse the filter. Once installed, it can be leveraged by low privileged users. This has been patched in version 5.4.2, along with all the previously affected versions via a minor release (5.3.4, 5.2.7, 5.1.6, 5.0.10, 4.9.15, 4.8.14, 4.7.18, 4.6.19, 4.5.22, 4.4.23, 4.3.24, 4.2.28, 4.1.31, 4.0.31, 3.9.32, 3.8.34, 3.7.34).

Affected Software

24 affected componentsFixes available
debian/wordpress
5.0.15+dfsg1-0+deb10u15.0.19+dfsg1-0+deb10u15.7.8+dfsg1-0+deb11u26.1.1+dfsg1-16.3.1+dfsg1-1
WordPress WordPress>=3.7<3.7.34
WordPress WordPress>=3.8<3.8.34
WordPress WordPress>=3.9<3.9.32
WordPress WordPress>=4.0<4.0.31
WordPress WordPress>=4.1<4.1.31
WordPress WordPress>=4.2<4.2.28
WordPress WordPress>=4.3<4.3.24
WordPress WordPress>=4.4<4.4.23
WordPress WordPress>=4.5<4.5.22
WordPress WordPress>=4.6<4.6.19
WordPress WordPress>=4.7<4.7.18
WordPress WordPress>=4.8<4.8.14
WordPress WordPress>=4.9<4.9.15
WordPress WordPress>=5.0<5.0.10
WordPress WordPress>=5.1<5.1.6
WordPress WordPress>=5.2<5.2.7
WordPress WordPress>=5.3.0<5.3.4
WordPress WordPress>=5.4<5.4.2
Fedoraproject Fedora=31
Fedoraproject Fedora=32
Debian Debian Linux=8.0
Debian Debian Linux=9.0
Debian Debian Linux=10.0

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/wordpress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.0.15+dfsg1-0+deb10u1Fixed in 5.0.19+dfsg1-0+deb10u1Fixed in 5.7.8+dfsg1-0+deb11u2Fixed in 6.1.1+dfsg1-1Fixed in 6.3.1+dfsg1-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.2
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.3.4
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.2.7
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.1.6
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.0.10
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.9.15
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.8.14
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.7.18
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.6.19
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.5.22
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.4.23
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.3.24
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.2.28
  15. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.1.31
  16. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.0.31
  17. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 3.9.32
  18. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 3.8.34
  19. Upgrade

    Upgrade WordPress to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 3.7.34

Event History

Jun 12, 2020
CVE Published
via MITRE·04:00 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·04:00 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Event
via MITRE·04:00 PM
Data Sourced
via OSV·04:15 PM
DescriptionSeverity

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is CVE-2020-4050?

CVE-2020-4050 is a vulnerability in WordPress that allows arbitrary user meta fields to be saved.

2

What is the severity of CVE-2020-4050?

The severity of CVE-2020-4050 is medium, with a severity value of 3.1.

3

How does CVE-2020-4050 affect WordPress?

CVE-2020-4050 affects certain versions of WordPress where the `set-screen-option` filter's return value can be misused.

4

What is the remedy for CVE-2020-4050?

The remedy for CVE-2020-4050 is to update to the patched versions of WordPress, such as 5.0.15+dfsg1-0+deb10u1 or 5.0.19+dfsg1-0+deb10u1.

5

Where can I find more information about CVE-2020-4050?

You can find more information about CVE-2020-4050 in the references provided: [link 1](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/47951) and [link 2](https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-4vpv-fgg2-gcqc).

Company

Resources

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203