MEDIUM
CVE-2009-2336
CWE-16Published: July 10, 2009· Updated: Jun 16, 2026
5.0
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
The forgotten mail interface in WordPress and WordPress MU before 2.8.1 exhibits different behavior for a password request depending on whether the user account exists, which allows remote attackers to enumerate valid usernames. NOTE: the vendor reportedly disputes the significance of this issue, indicating that the behavior exists for "user convenience."
Technical Analysis
CVE-2009-2336 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires some privileges, which limits the exposure to scenarios where an attacker has already gained initial access.
CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown
Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityP
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
Affected Vendors & Products
WordPress2 product(s)
wordpresswordpress mu
Source: NVD CPE · 2 total CPE entries
Exploit & PoC Resources
NO KNOWN EXPLOITNo public exploit confirmed at this time
Exploit-DB
Offensive Security exploit database
GitHub PoC Search
Community PoC repositories
Rapid7 / Metasploit
Metasploit module search
PacketStorm
Security advisories & exploits
NVD Detail
Official NIST entry
MITRE CVE
CVE Program entry
External links open in a new tab. Always verify in a controlled environment before use.
Official Patches & Advisories
All References (22)
→
http://corelabs.coresecurity.com/index.php?action=view&type=advisory&name=WordPress_Privileges_UncheckedExploit · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://securitytracker.com/id?1022528Patch · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
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http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/9110Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.osvdb.org/55714Broken Link · Patch
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/504795/100/0/threadedThird Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/35581Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.vupen.com/english/advisories/2009/1833Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
→
→
https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-July/msg00632.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
https://www.redhat.com/archives/fedora-package-announce/2009-July/msg00676.htmlThird Party Advisory
→
http://corelabs.coresecurity.com/index.php?action=view&type=advisory&name=WordPress_Privileges_UncheckedExploit · Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
http://securitytracker.com/id?1022528Patch · Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/9110Third Party Advisory · VDB Entry
→
http://www.osvdb.org/55714Broken Link · Patch
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2009-2336
CVSS Score5.0 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-16
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedJul 10, 2009
Related CVEs (CWE-16)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2009-2336 in threat intel feeds
- →Review IDS/IPS signatures for exploitation attempts
Data sourced from NVD (NIST), CISA KEV, and EPSS (FIRST). Analysis generated by CTIWatch. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.