How severe is CVE-2019-16222?

CVE-2019-16222 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.

Is CVE-2019-16222 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2019-16222?

CVE-2019-16222 primarily affects Wordpress. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2019-16222?

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

When was CVE-2019-16222 published?

CVE-2019-16222 was published on 2019-09-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2019-16222

CVE-2019-16222 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Wordpress with a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1. 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 6.1)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (80th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-79
Affected product: Wordpress
Published: 2019-09-11
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

WordPress before 5.2.3 has an issue with URL sanitization in wp_kses_bad_protocol_once in wp-includes/kses.php that can lead to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2019-16222?: WordPress before 5.2.3 has an issue with URL sanitization in wp_kses_bad_protocol_once in wp-includes/kses.php that can lead to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
How severe is CVE-2019-16222?: CVE-2019-16222 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 6.1, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability none.
Is CVE-2019-16222 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (80th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2019-16222?: CVE-2019-16222 primarily affects Wordpress. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2019-16222?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2019-16222 published?: CVE-2019-16222 was published on 2019-09-11 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:wordpress:wordpress:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:8.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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