How severe is CVE-2021-42362?

CVE-2021-42362 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-42362 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 80% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-42362?

CVE-2021-42362 affects Wordpress Popular Posts Project Wordpress Popular Posts. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-42362?

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-2021-42362 published?

CVE-2021-42362 was published on 2021-11-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-42362

CVE-2021-42362 is a high-severity vulnerability in Wordpress Popular Posts Project Wordpress Popular Posts with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 80% places it in the 100th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-434.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 80% (100th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-434
Affected product: Wordpress Popular Posts Project Wordpress Popular Posts
Published: 2021-11-17
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The WordPress Popular Posts WordPress plugin is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to insufficient input file type validation found in the ~/src/Image.php file which makes it possible for attackers with contributor level access and above to upload malicious files that can be used to obtain remote code execution, in versions up to and including 5.3.2.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-42362?: The WordPress Popular Posts WordPress plugin is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to insufficient input file type validation found in the ~/src/Image.php file which makes it possible for attackers with contributor level access and above to upload malicious files that can be used to obtain remote code execution, in versions up to and including 5.3.2.
How severe is CVE-2021-42362?: CVE-2021-42362 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-42362 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 80% (100th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-42362?: CVE-2021-42362 affects Wordpress Popular Posts Project Wordpress Popular Posts. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-42362?: 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-2021-42362 published?: CVE-2021-42362 was published on 2021-11-17 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:wordpress_popular_posts_project:wordpress_popular_posts:*:*:*:*:*:wordpress:*:*

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