MEDIUM
CVE-2016-10148
CWE-254Published: January 18, 2017· Updated: Jun 17, 2026
4.3
CVSS v3.1
Official Description
The wp_ajax_update_plugin function in wp-admin/includes/ajax-actions.php in WordPress before 4.6 makes a get_plugin_data call before checking the update_plugins capability, which allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended read-access restrictions via the plugin parameter to wp-admin/admin-ajax.php, a related issue to CVE-2016-6896.
Technical Analysis
CVE-2016-10148 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.
Exploitation requires low 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.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityLow
IntegrityNone
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N
Affected Vendors & Products
WordPress1 product(s)
wordpress
Source: NVD CPE · 1 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 (10)
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/20/1Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/38168Issue Tracking · Patch
→
https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/37490Issue Tracking
→
https://sumofpwn.nl/advisory/2016/path_traversal_vulnerability_in_wordpress_core_ajax_handlers.htmlTechnical Description · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/08/20/1Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/38168Issue Tracking · Patch
→
https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/37490Issue Tracking
→
https://sumofpwn.nl/advisory/2016/path_traversal_vulnerability_in_wordpress_core_ajax_handlers.htmlTechnical Description · Third Party Advisory
Quick Facts
CVE IDCVE-2016-10148
CVSS Score4.3 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-254
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedJan 18, 2017
Related CVEs (CWE-254)
Recommended Actions
- →Apply vendor patches immediately
- →Monitor CVE-2016-10148 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.COM. CVE data is provided under the NVD usage policy.