How severe is CVE-2018-20153?

CVE-2018-20153 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.4, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.

Is CVE-2018-20153 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2018-20153?

CVE-2018-20153 primarily affects Wordpress. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2018-20153?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2018-20153 published?

CVE-2018-20153 was published on 2018-12-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2018-20153

CVE-2018-20153 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Wordpress with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.4. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-79.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.4)
CVSS v2: 3.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (83rd percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-79
Affected product: Wordpress
Published: 2018-12-14
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

In WordPress before 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1, contributors could modify new comments made by users with greater privileges, possibly causing XSS.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2018-20153?: In WordPress before 4.9.9 and 5.x before 5.0.1, contributors could modify new comments made by users with greater privileges, possibly causing XSS.
How severe is CVE-2018-20153?: CVE-2018-20153 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.4, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.
Is CVE-2018-20153 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (83rd percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2018-20153?: CVE-2018-20153 primarily affects Wordpress. In total, 3 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2018-20153?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2018-20153 published?: CVE-2018-20153 was published on 2018-12-14 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (3)

cpe:2.3:a:wordpress:wordpress:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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