CVE-2022-21661
HighExploitedPublic exploitwordpress - security update
Published Aug 14, 2023 · Updated Sep 8, 2026 · Also known as BIT-wordpress-2022-21661, BIT-wordpress-multisite-2022-21661, DEBIAN-CVE-2022-21661, DLA-2884-1, DSA-5039-1, GHSA-6676-cqfm-gw84, TR-23-0462, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-21661, b0ef885f-fd62-4513-83cb-65381b99a172
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2022-21661 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.5 v3.1) affecting Wordpress, Debian Linux, Fedora (Fedoraproject) and 2 more products.
- It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV since Jan 6, 2022. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 98% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Wordpress 3.7.37, Wordpress 3.8.37, Wordpress 3.9.35.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
CVSS v3.1
7.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
98%
Higher than 99.9% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
Yes
2 catalog listings
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2022-21661 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system written in PHP and paired with a MariaDB database. Due to improper sanitization in WP_Query, there can be cases where SQL injection is possible through plugins or themes that use it in a certain way. This has been patched in WordPress version 5.8.3. Older affected versions are also fixed via security release, that go back till 3.7.37. We strongly recommend that you keep auto-updates enabled. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.
Known-Exploited Catalog Listings
| Catalog | Added | Remediation due | Ransomware use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industry KEV feed | Dec 23, 2023 | n/a | Not reported |
| CIRCL KEV | Jan 6, 2022 | n/a | Not reported |
Required action: Apply remediations or mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if remediation or mitigations are unavailable.
Affected Products
24 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| WordpressWordpress | >= 3.7.0, >= 3.7 | 3.7.37 |
| Debian LinuxDebian | 10.0, 11.0, 9.0 | n/a |
| FedoraFedoraproject | 34, 35 | n/a |
| wordpress-multisitebitnami | >= 3.7.0 | 3.7.37 |
| wordpress-develop | >= < 5.8.3 | n/a |
Patched Releases
Wordpress
3.7.37, 3.8.37, 3.9.35, 4.0.34, 4.1.34, 4.2.31, 4.3.27, 4.4.26, 4.5.25, 4.6.22, 4.7.22, 4.7.22+dfsg-0+deb9u1, 4.8.18, 4.9.19, 5.0.15, 5.0.15+dfsg1-0+deb10u1, 5.1.12, 5.2.14, 5.3.11, 5.4.9, 5.5.8, 5.6.7, 5.7.5, 5.7.5+dfsg1-0+deb11u1, 5.8.3, 5.8.3+dfsg1-1
wordpress-multisite
3.7.37, 3.8.37, 3.9.35, 4.0.34, 4.1.34, 4.2.31, 4.3.27, 4.4.26, 4.5.25, 4.6.22, 4.7.22, 4.8.18, 4.9.19, 5.0.15, 5.1.12, 5.2.14, 5.3.11, 5.4.9, 5.5.8, 5.6.7, 5.7.5, 5.8.3
Timeline
Added to CIRCL KEV
Jan 6, 2022
Publicly disclosed
Aug 14, 2023
Added to Industry KEV feed
Dec 23, 2023
Last updated
Sep 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-89 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection')
References
- advisoryhttps://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2023080047
- advisoryhttps://cxsecurity.com/issue/WLB-2023080057
- advisoryhttps://github.com/CVEProject/cvelistV5/tree/main/cves/2022/21xxx/CVE-2022-21661.json
- advisoryhttps://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-6676-cqfm-gw84
- advisoryhttps://hackerone.com/reports/1378209
FAQ
Common Questions.
WordPress is a free and open-source content management system written in PHP and paired with a MariaDB database.
Affected: Wordpress versions >= 3.7.0, >= 3.7; Debian Linux versions 10.0, 11.0, 9.0; Fedora (Fedoraproject) versions 34, 35, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is exploited in the wild, listed in Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV since Jan 6, 2022.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Wordpress 3.7.37, Wordpress 3.8.37, Wordpress 3.9.35.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.
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