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).
The product requires authentication, but the product has an alternate path or channel that does not require authentication.
| Link | Tags |
|---|---|
| https://wordpress.org/news/2020/06/wordpress-5-4-2-security-and-maintenance-release/ | release notes vendor advisory |
| https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/security/advisories/GHSA-4vpv-fgg2-gcqc | third party advisory |
| https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/b8dea76b495f0072523106c6ec46b9ea0d2a0920 | patch |
| https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/ODNHXVJS25YVWYQHOCICXTLIN5UYJFDN/ | vendor advisory |
| https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/773N2ZV7QEMBGKH6FBKI6Q5S3YJMW357/ | vendor advisory |
| https://www.debian.org/security/2020/dsa-4709 | third party advisory vendor advisory |
| https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/07/msg00000.html | third party advisory mailing list |
| https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/09/msg00011.html | third party advisory mailing list |