HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2017-5493
HIGH

CVE-2017-5493

CWE-338Published: January 15, 2017· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

7.5
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

wp-includes/ms-functions.php in the Multisite WordPress API in WordPress before 4.7.1 does not properly choose random numbers for keys, which makes it easier for remote attackers to bypass intended access restrictions via a crafted (1) site signup or (2) user signup.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2017-5493 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

The vulnerability requires no privileges and no user interaction, making it a prime target for automated exploitation campaigns and worm-like propagation.

A successful exploit results in full integrity compromise (data manipulation), with a CVSS base score of 7.5.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/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

PATCHhttps://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/cea9e2dc62abf777e06b12ec4ad9d1aaa49b29f4
PATCHhttps://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/cea9e2dc62abf777e06b12ec4ad9d1aaa49b29f4
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/14/6
ADVISORYhttps://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.7.1
ADVISORYhttps://wordpress.org/news/2017/01/wordpress-4-7-1-security-and-maintenance-release/
ADVISORYhttp://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/14/6
ADVISORYhttps://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.7.1
ADVISORYhttps://wordpress.org/news/2017/01/wordpress-4-7-1-security-and-maintenance-release/

All References (16)

→
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3779
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/14/6Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95401
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037591
→
https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.7.1Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/cea9e2dc62abf777e06b12ec4ad9d1aaa49b29f4Patch
→
https://wordpress.org/news/2017/01/wordpress-4-7-1-security-and-maintenance-release/Vendor Advisory
→
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8721
→
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3779
→
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2017/01/14/6Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95401
→
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1037591
→
https://codex.wordpress.org/Version_4.7.1Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/cea9e2dc62abf777e06b12ec4ad9d1aaa49b29f4Patch
→
https://wordpress.org/news/2017/01/wordpress-4-7-1-security-and-maintenance-release/Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2017-5493
CVSS Score7.5 / 10
SeverityHIGH
WeaknessCWE-338
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedJan 15, 2017

Related CVEs (CWE-338)

CVE-2025-40926
9.8
CVE-2009-2367
9.8
CVE-2026-56141
9.8
CVE-2026-2439
9.8
CVE-2024-40762
9.8
CVE-2019-16303
9.8

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2017-5493 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.
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