HOMEVULNERABILITIESCVE-2021-44223
CRITICAL

CVE-2021-44223

NVD-CWE-OtherPublished: November 25, 2021· Updated: Jun 17, 2026

9.8
CVSS v3.1

Official Description

WordPress before 5.8 lacks support for the Update URI plugin header. This makes it easier for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a supply-chain attack against WordPress installations that use any plugin for which the slug satisfies the naming constraints of the WordPress.org Plugin Directory but is not yet present in that directory.

NVD Source

Technical Analysis

CVE-2021-44223 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 complete confidentiality breach (data exposure), full integrity compromise (data manipulation), availability disruption (denial of service), with a CVSS base score of 9.8.

CVSS v3.1 Vector Breakdown

Exploitability
Attack VectorNetwork
Attack ComplexityLow
Privileges Req.None
User InteractionNone
ScopeUnchanged
Impact
ConfidentialityHigh
IntegrityHigh
AvailabilityHigh
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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
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Official Patches & Advisories

ADVISORYhttps://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/29/introducing-update-uri-plugin-header-in-wordpress-5-8/
ADVISORYhttps://vavkamil.cz/2021/11/25/wordpress-plugin-confusion-update-can-get-you-pwned/
ADVISORYhttps://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/29/introducing-update-uri-plugin-header-in-wordpress-5-8/
ADVISORYhttps://vavkamil.cz/2021/11/25/wordpress-plugin-confusion-update-can-get-you-pwned/

All References (4)

→
https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/29/introducing-update-uri-plugin-header-in-wordpress-5-8/Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://vavkamil.cz/2021/11/25/wordpress-plugin-confusion-update-can-get-you-pwned/Exploit · Third Party Advisory
→
https://make.wordpress.org/core/2021/06/29/introducing-update-uri-plugin-header-in-wordpress-5-8/Release Notes · Vendor Advisory
→
https://vavkamil.cz/2021/11/25/wordpress-plugin-confusion-update-can-get-you-pwned/Exploit · Third Party Advisory

Quick Facts

CVE IDCVE-2021-44223
CVSS Score9.8 / 10
SeverityCRITICAL
WeaknessNVD-CWE-Other
CISA KEVNo
Affected1 vendor(s)
PublishedNov 25, 2021

Related CVEs (NVD-CWE-Other)

CVE-2002-0747
10.0
CVE-2002-1468
10.0
CVE-2001-1080
10.0
CVE-2022-4390
10.0
CVE-1999-1405
10.0
CVE-1999-0745
10.0

Recommended Actions

  • →Apply vendor patches immediately
  • →Monitor CVE-2021-44223 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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