HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2020-4049
LOW

CVE-2020-4049

CWE-80Published: June 12, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

2.4
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

In affected versions of WordPress, when uploading themes, the name of the theme folder can be crafted in a way that could lead to JavaScript execution in /wp-admin on the themes page. This does require an admin to upload the theme, and is low severity self-XSS. This has been patched in version 5.4.2, along with all the previously affected versions via a minor release (5.3.4, 5.2.7, 5.1.6, 5.0.10, 4.9.15, 4.8.14, 4.7.18, 4.6.19, 4.5.22, 4.4.23, 4.3.24, 4.2.28, 4.1.31, 4.0.31, 3.9.32, 3.8.34, 3.7.34).

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2020-4049 can be exploited remotely over the network without requiring physical or adjacent access, significantly expanding the attack surface for threat actors.

Exploitation requires high 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.High
User InteractionRequired
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityLow
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N

Affected Vendors & Products

Debian1 product(s)
debian linux
Fedora1 product(s)
fedora
WordPress1 product(s)
wordpress
Source: NVD CPE · 6 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-develop/commit/404f397b4012fd9d382e55bf7d206c1317f01148
PATCHhttps://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/404f397b4012fd9d382e55bf7d206c1317f01148
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-87h4-phjv-rm6p
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/07/msg00000.html
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/09/msg00011.html
ADVISORYhttps://wordpress.org/news/2020/06/wordpress-5-4-2-security-and-maintenance-release/
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4709
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-87h4-phjv-rm6p
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/07/msg00000.html
ADVISORYhttps://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/09/msg00011.html
ADVISORYhttps://wordpress.org/news/2020/06/wordpress-5-4-2-security-and-maintenance-release/
ADVISORYhttps://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4709

All References (16)

→
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/404f397b4012fd9d382e55bf7d206c1317f01148Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-87h4-phjv-rm6pThird Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/07/msg00000.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/09/msg00011.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/773N2ZV7QEMBGKH6FBKI6Q5S3YJMW357/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ODNHXVJS25YVWYQHOCICXTLIN5UYJFDN/
→
https://wordpress.org/news/2020/06/wordpress-5-4-2-security-and-maintenance-release/Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4709Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/404f397b4012fd9d382e55bf7d206c1317f01148Patch · Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-87h4-phjv-rm6pThird Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/07/msg00000.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/09/msg00011.htmlMailing List · Third Party Advisory
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/773N2ZV7QEMBGKH6FBKI6Q5S3YJMW357/
→
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ODNHXVJS25YVWYQHOCICXTLIN5UYJFDN/
→
https://wordpress.org/news/2020/06/wordpress-5-4-2-security-and-maintenance-release/Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2020-4049
CVSS Score2.4 / 10
SeverityLOW
WeaknessCWE-80
CISA KEVNo
Affected3 vendor(s)
PublishedJun 12, 2020

Related CVEs (CWE-80)

CVE-2023-39216
9.8
CVE-2019-13923
9.6
CVE-2025-53883
9.3
CVE-2026-32891
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CVE-2024-52300
9.0
CVE-2022-25620
9.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2020-4049 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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