HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2009-3890
MEDIUMPOC

CVE-2009-3890

CWE-94Published: November 17, 2009· Updated: Jun 16, 2026

6.0
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

Unrestricted file upload vulnerability in the wp_check_filetype function in wp-includes/functions.php in WordPress before 2.8.6, when a certain configuration of the mod_mime module in the Apache HTTP Server is enabled, allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary code by posting an attachment with a multiple-extension filename, and then accessing this attachment via a direct request to a wp-content/uploads/ pathname, as demonstrated by a .php.jpg filename.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2009-3890 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.

A proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit exists for CVE-2009-3890. While not yet confirmed in active campaigns, the availability of PoC code increases exploitation risk substantially.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityM
Privileges Req.
User Interaction
Scope
Impact
ConfidentialityP
IntegrityP
AvailabilityP
AV:N/AC:M/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

Affected Vendors & Products

WordPress1 product(s)
wordpress
Source: NVD CPE · 1 total CPE entries

Exploit & PoC Resources

POC AVAILABLEProof-of-concept code exists
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

PATCHhttp://wordpress.org/development/2009/11/wordpress-2-8-6-security-release/
PATCHhttp://wordpress.org/development/2009/11/wordpress-2-8-6-security-release/
ADVISORYhttp://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/11122
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/37332
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/15/2
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/15/3
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/16/1
ADVISORYhttp://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/11122
ADVISORYhttp://secunia.com/advisories/37332
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/15/2
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/15/3
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/16/1

All References (20)

→
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2009-11/0142.htmlBroken Link
→
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2009-11/0149.htmlBroken Link
→
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2009-11/0153.htmlBroken Link
→
http://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/11122Issue Tracking · Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/37332Third Party Advisory
→
http://wordpress.org/development/2009/11/wordpress-2-8-6-security-release/Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/15/2Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/15/3Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2009/11/16/1Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.osvdb.org/59958Broken Link
→
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2009-11/0142.htmlBroken Link
→
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2009-11/0149.htmlBroken Link
→
http://archives.neohapsis.com/archives/fulldisclosure/2009-11/0153.htmlBroken Link
→
http://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/11122Issue Tracking · Vendor Advisory
→
http://secunia.com/advisories/37332Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2009-3890
CVSS Score6.0 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-94
CISA KEVNo
ExploitPOC
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 17, 2009

Related CVEs (CWE-94)

CVE-2008-2689
10.0
CVE-2008-4557
10.0
CVE-2006-4812
10.0
CVE-2008-5090
10.0
CVE-2008-5066
10.0
CVE-2008-4439
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2009-3890 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.
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