CVE-2016-6896Wordpress Path Traversal
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 ..
Published Jan 18, 2017 · Updated Aug 4, 2026 · Also known as 83f8adea-4735-4c72-b274-58e813cab6ab, DEBIAN-CVE-2016-6896, UBUNTU-CVE-2016-6896, WORDFENCE-83f8adea-4735-4c72-b274-58e813cab6ab
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2016-6896 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.1 v3.1) affecting Wordpress.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 38% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Wordpress 4.6, Wordpress 4.6.1+dfsg-1.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Scores
CVSS v3.1
7.1
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
38%
Higher than 98.5% of all scored CVEs
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
ATLAS score
43/100
Publication score, see How it works
Exploitation Verdict
KEV listed
Not listed
Federal due date
None
No federal due date
Ransomware use
Not reported
Attributed actors
None named
Exploit & Defence Guidance
Exploit maturity
Proof of concept
Public exploit code
1
Proof-of-concept links
In-the-wild evidence
1
Reports of active use
Advisories And Exploit References
- advisoryhttps://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2016-6896
- advisoryhttps://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2016-6896
- advisoryhttps://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-6896
- advisoryhttp://seclists.org/oss-sec/2016/q3/347
- advisoryhttps://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/83f8adea-4735-4c72-b274-58e813cab6ab?source=api-prod
- advisoryhttps://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/83f8adea-4735-4c72-b274-58e813cab6ab?source=api-scan
Description
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.
Affected Products
14 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| WordpressWordpress | 4.5.3 | 4.6.1+dfsg-1 |
Patched Releases
Wordpress
4.6, 4.6.1+dfsg-1
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Jan 18, 2017
Last updated
Aug 4, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
- CWE-400 Uncontrolled Resource Consumption
References
- advisorysecurity-tracker.debian.org · CVE-2016-6896
- advisoryubuntu.com · CVE-2016-6896
- advisorycve.org · CVERecord
- advisoryseclists.org · 347
- advisorywordfence.com · 83f8adea-4735-4c72-b274-58e813cab6ab
FAQ
Common Questions.
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 ..
Affected: Wordpress versions 4.5.3. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Wordpress 4.6, Wordpress 4.6.1+dfsg-1.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because public exploit code exists for a high-severity flaw.
Is CVE-2016-6896 On Your Attack Surface?
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