Known exploited vulnerability
CVE-2026-119977
The short answer
CVE-2026-119977 affects WordPress Foundation WordPress and is rated high (CVSS 8.1). CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-11-03: attackers are using it, so patch it first. The vendor has linked a patch.
What it is
WordPress Core is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in versions 4.7 through 7.1.3. This is due to predictable, web-accessible staging paths used during full-package core upgrades. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server during the upgrade window.
Weakness: CWE-367.
Severity
8.1 high
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploited (CISA KEV)
Yes, since Nov 3, 2026
Federal due date Nov 6, 2026
EPSS, next 30 days
1.2%
Higher than 68% of scored CVEs
How it can be exploited
- Attack vector
- Network
- Attack complexity
- High
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality impact
- High
- Integrity impact
- High
- Availability impact
- High
What CISA says to do
Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for…
Affected products
WordPress. NVD's record lists the exact affected versions.
References
- core.trac.wordpress.org/browser/tags/7.1.3/src/wp-admin/includes/class-core-upgrader.php#L162 Product
- core.trac.wordpress.org/browser/tags/7.1.3/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-upgrader.php#L378 Product
- core.trac.wordpress.org/browser/tags/7.1.3/src/wp-admin/includes/update-core.php#L1549 Product
- core.trac.wordpress.org/browser/tags/7.1.3/src/wp-admin/setup-config.php#L282 Product
- core.trac.wordpress.org/browser/tags/7.1.4/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-upgrader.php#L346 Patch
- core.trac.wordpress.org/browser/tags/7.1.4/src/wp-admin/includes/update-core.php#L1545 Patch
- wordpress.org/news/2026/10/wordpress-7-1-4/ Release Notes
- www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/4b4da0cf-d9f4-47c4-a0e8-6c4dc5a6f250?source=cve Third Party Advisory
- www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2026-119977 US Government Resource
- www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/wordpress-core/wordpress-core-470-713-unauthenticated-upgrade-window-staged-installer-remote-code-execution Third Party Advisory
Questions
Is CVE-2026-119977 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2026-119977 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-11-03, with a federal remediation due date of 2026-11-06.
How do I fix CVE-2026-119977?
CISA's required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for…
From NVD, CISA KEV, FIRST EPSS and OSV.dev, checked . Status on NVD: Analyzed. The description is NVD's text, quoted as published.
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