How severe is CVE-2008-5695?

CVE-2008-5695 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.5, rated high severity.

Is CVE-2008-5695 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 12% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2008-5695?

CVE-2008-5695 primarily affects Wordpress. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2008-5695?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2008-5695 published?

CVE-2008-5695 was published on 2008-12-19 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

CVE-2008-5695

CVE-2008-5695 is a high-severity vulnerability in Wordpress with a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 12% places it in the 96th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-20.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 2.0 base score 8.5)
EPSS exploit prediction: 12% (96th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-20
Affected product: Wordpress
Published: 2008-12-19
Last modified: 2026-06-16

Description

wp-admin/options.php in WordPress MU before 1.3.2, and WordPress 2.3.2 and earlier, does not properly validate requests to update an option, which allows remote authenticated users with manage_options and upload_files capabilities to execute arbitrary code by uploading a PHP script and adding this script's pathname to active_plugins.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2008-5695?: wp-admin/options.php in WordPress MU before 1.3.2, and WordPress 2.3.2 and earlier, does not properly validate requests to update an option, which allows remote authenticated users with manage_options and upload_files capabilities to execute arbitrary code by uploading a PHP script and adding this script's pathname to active_plugins.
How severe is CVE-2008-5695?: CVE-2008-5695 has a CVSS 2.0 base score of 8.5, rated high severity.
Is CVE-2008-5695 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 12% (96th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2008-5695?: CVE-2008-5695 primarily affects Wordpress. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2008-5695?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2008-5695 published?: CVE-2008-5695 was published on 2008-12-19 and last updated on 2026-06-16.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:wordpress:wordpress:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:wordpress:wordpress_mu:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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