HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2019-16220
MEDIUM

CVE-2019-16220

CWE-601Published: September 11, 2019· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

6.1
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

In WordPress before 5.2.3, validation and sanitization of a URL in wp_validate_redirect in wp-includes/pluggable.php could lead to an open redirect if a provided URL path does not start with a forward slash.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2019-16220 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation does not require any privileges, though user interaction (Required) is needed, which slightly reduces the risk of mass automated attacks.

The vulnerability has a "Changed" scope, meaning successful exploitation can impact components beyond the vulnerable component itself — such as the host operating system or adjacent services.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionRequired
ScopeChanged
Impact
ConfidentialityLow
IntegrityLow
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
WordPress1 product(s)
wordpress
Source: NVD CPE · 4 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://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/45971
PATCHhttps://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/c86ee39ff4c1a79b93c967eb88522f5c09614a28
PATCHhttps://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/45971
PATCHhttps://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/c86ee39ff4c1a79b93c967eb88522f5c09614a28
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/10/msg00023.html
ADVISORYhttps://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/8
ADVISORYhttps://wordpress.org/news/2019/09/wordpress-5-2-3-security-and-maintenance-release/
ADVISORYhttps://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9863
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4599
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4677
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/10/msg00023.html
ADVISORYhttps://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/8
ADVISORYhttps://wordpress.org/news/2019/09/wordpress-5-2-3-security-and-maintenance-release/
ADVISORYhttps://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9863
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4599
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4677

All References (17)

→
https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/45971Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/c86ee39ff4c1a79b93c967eb88522f5c09614a28Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/10/msg00023.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/8Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://wordpress.org/news/2019/09/wordpress-5-2-3-security-and-maintenance-release/Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9863Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4599Third Party Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4677Third Party Advisory
→
https://core.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/45971Patch · Vendor Advisory
→
https://github.com/WordPress/WordPress/commit/c86ee39ff4c1a79b93c967eb88522f5c09614a28Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/10/msg00023.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://medium.com/@theodorejackson.us/rediscovering-an-old-vulnerability-cve-2019-16220-d25cc441752f
→
https://seclists.org/bugtraq/2020/Jan/8Mailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://wordpress.org/news/2019/09/wordpress-5-2-3-security-and-maintenance-release/Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/9863Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2019-16220
CVSS Score6.1 / 10
SeverityMEDIUM
WeaknessCWE-601
CISA KEVNo
Affected2 vendor(s)
PublishedSep 11, 2019

Related CVEs (CWE-601)

CVE-2020-36912
9.8
CVE-2019-25282
9.8
CVE-2024-22891
9.8
CVE-2025-43526
9.8
CVE-2022-31657
9.8
CVE-2025-55031
9.8

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2019-16220 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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