HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2020-4050
LOW

CVE-2020-4050

CWE-288Published: June 12, 2020· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

3.1
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

In affected versions of WordPress, misuse of the `set-screen-option` filter's return value allows arbitrary user meta fields to be saved. It does require an admin to install a plugin that would misuse the filter. Once installed, it can be leveraged by low privileged users. 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-2020-4050 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 ComplexityHigh
Privileges Req.Low
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityNone
IntegrityLow
AvailabilityNone
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/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/b8dea76b495f0072523106c6ec46b9ea0d2a0920
PATCHhttps://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/b8dea76b495f0072523106c6ec46b9ea0d2a0920
ADVISORYhttps://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-4vpv-fgg2-gcqc
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-4vpv-fgg2-gcqc
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/b8dea76b495f0072523106c6ec46b9ea0d2a0920Patch
→
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-4vpv-fgg2-gcqcThird 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/Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4709Third Party Advisory
→
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/b8dea76b495f0072523106c6ec46b9ea0d2a0920Patch
→
https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-4vpv-fgg2-gcqcThird 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/Release Notes · Vendor Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2020-4050
CVSS Score3.1 / 10
SeverityLOW
WeaknessCWE-288
CISA KEVNo
Affected3 vendor(s)
PublishedJun 12, 2020

Related CVEs (CWE-288)

CVE-2026-53622
10.0
CVE-2026-48020
10.0
CVE-2024-2013
10.0
CVE-2024-2973
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CVE-2026-48491
10.0
CVE-2026-20079
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2020-4050 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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