CVE-2019-8942
High PUBLISHEDWordPress 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...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
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.
- CVE Published
- Feb 20, 2019
- Exploitation Reported
- Jul 30, 2026
- CVSS
- 8.8 High
- EPSS
- 82.7%
CVE References
- DSA-4401 debian.org · Vendor Advisory https://www.debian.org/security/2019/dsa-4401
- 46511 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46511/
- 46662 exploit-db.com · Exploit https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46662/
- 107088 securityfocus.com · VDB Entry http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/107088
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190331 [SECURITY] [DLA 1742-1] wordpress security update lists.debian.org · Mailing List https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/03/msg00044.html
Show 4 more references
- wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9222 wpvulndb.com · CVE Record https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9222
- blog.ripstech.com/2019/wordpress-image-remote-code-execution blog.ripstech.com · CVE Record https://blog.ripstech.com/2019/wordpress-image-remote-code-execution/
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/152396/WordPress-5.0.0-crop-image-Shel... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/152396/WordPress-5.0.0-crop-imag...
- rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/wp_crop_rce rapid7.com · CVE Record http://www.rapid7.com/db/modules/exploit/multi/http/wp_crop_rce
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| Palo Alto Networks Security Advisories First | 2026-07-30 10:42 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Scanner and exploit-framework references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Metasploit | https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/wp_crop_rce.rb | Apr 28, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2026-07-30 10:42:00 UTC · Palo Alto Networks Security Advisories
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2019-05-02 08:41:11 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
Scanner Integrations
Nuclei, Metasploit, and other scanner references for this CVE are listed on the Detection tab.
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2022-05-31 03:28:22 UTC · 1 stars
github · Created 2019-05-02 08:41:11 UTC · 4 stars
WordPress crop-image exploitation
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
10:42 UTC about 2 hours ago10:42 UTC · about 2 hours ago
Added to KEVIntel KEV Feed
High-confidence, third-party attested exploitation
-
15:02 UTC over 1 year ago15:02 UTC · over 1 year ago
Metasploit module available
Exploit module available
-
08:41 UTC about 7 years ago08:41 UTC · about 7 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
03:00 UTC over 7 years ago03:00 UTC · over 7 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC over 7 years ago00:00 UTC · over 7 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2019-8942
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2019-8942",
"title": "WordPress before 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1 allows remote code execution beca...",
"affected_vendor": "WordPress",
"affected_product": "WordPress",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "High",
"cvss_score": 8.8,
"epss_score": 0.82736,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}