CVE-2021-29447
WordPress Authenticated XXE attack when installation is running PHP 8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N
Description
Wordpress is an open source CMS. A user with the ability to upload files (like an Author) can exploit an XML parsing issue in the Media Library leading to XXE attacks. This requires WordPress installation to be using PHP 8. Access to internal files is possible in a successful XXE attack. This has been patched in WordPress version 5.7.1, along with the older affected versions via a minor release. We strongly recommend you keep auto-updates enabled.
Official description from the CVE record, published by GitHub_M. Copyright © 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. See /security/cve/legal for the CVE license. View the record on cve.org
Key data
CVSS 3.1 High 7.1
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:L/A:N
Attack vector: Network
The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet.
Attack complexity: Low
No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will.
Privileges required: Low
A basic user account is needed.
User interaction: None
No action from any user is needed.
Scope: Unchanged
The impact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality impact: High
Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data.
Integrity impact: Low
Limited effect on the trustworthiness of data.
Availability impact: None
No effect on availability.
| Metric | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Attack vector | Network | The vulnerable component can be reached over a network, possibly from the Internet. |
| Attack complexity | Low | No special conditions are needed. The attack can be repeated at will. |
| Privileges required | Low | A basic user account is needed. |
| User interaction | None | No action from any user is needed. |
| Scope | Unchanged | The impact stays within the vulnerable component. |
| Confidentiality impact | High | Serious or total effect on the secrecy of data. |
| Integrity impact | Low | Limited effect on the trustworthiness of data. |
| Availability impact | None | No effect on availability. |
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EPSS
- Score
- 0.85719 (85.7% probability)
- Percentile
- 99.7%
- Scores of
- Nov 10, 2026
- Model
- v2026.06.15
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-611Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference
Affected products
wordpress-develop
- affected: >= 5.6.0, < 5.7.1
References
- github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/…
- wordpress.org/news/category/security
- [debian-lts-announce] 20210421 [SECURITY] [DLA 2630-1] wordpress security update (lists.debian.org)mailing-list
- DSA-4896 (debian.org)vendor-advisory
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/163148/XML-External-Entity-Vi…
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/164198/WordPress-5.7-Media-Li…
- blog.sonarsource.com/wordpress-xxe-security-vulnerability
Timeline
- ID reserved
- Record published
- Record last updated
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Data from the CVE Program (MITRE), CISA KEV and FIRST EPSS. CVSS is owned by FIRST and used by permission. Not affiliated with or endorsed by MITRE, CISA or FIRST. Data as of Nov 10, 2026, 19:50 UTC. Sources and licenses