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WordPress Core - Security Vulnerability (CVE-2017-9062)

CVE-2017-9062

In WordPress before 4.7.5, there is improper handling of post meta data values in the XML-RPC API.

CVE-2017-9062

HIGH CVSS 8.6 Published 2017-05-18 Updated 2026-06-17
AI Risk Critical (100/100) Active Exploit: Likely Published Exploit: Public exploit references found Priority: P1 Immediate
Severity Band HIGH
CVSS Vector CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:H/A:N
Affected Components 1
Reference Links 7
AI Risk Engine Critical (100/100)
Exploitability High
Active Exploitation Likely
Published Exploit Status Public exploit references found

Threat Timeline

  1. 2017-05-18 CVE published and first recorded in the threat feed.
  2. 2026-06-17 Record updated with latest vulnerability metadata.
  3. 2026-09-18 AI technical context refreshed for mitigation and impact guidance.
  4. Now Monitoring for follow-up changes, linked references, and new related CVEs.

AI Context

Machine-generated threat intelligence

AI Updated just now

AI enriched just now (2026-09-18 19:20 UTC)

Technical Summary

In WordPress before 4.7.5, there is improper handling of post meta data values in the XML-RPC API.

Potential Impact

Severity is HIGH (CVSS 8.6). Depending on deployment context, affected components may be exposed to unauthorized actions or data integrity risk.

Exploitability Assessment

Exploitability is assessed as High based on published exploit references.

Primary risk drivers: published exploit references

Mitigation Recommendations

Validate affected product versions, prioritize patching, and monitor references for vendor remediation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, apply compensating controls and limit exposure of vulnerable surfaces.

Detection & Monitoring

Track authentication anomalies, unexpected file writes, and suspicious plugin API activity around affected components.

Business Impact Lens

AI risk score 100/100 (Critical, High) with priority P1 Immediate. Prioritize remediation where affected components process customer data, admin sessions, or Internet-exposed workflows.

Affected Products

WordPress Core CORE · wordpress Affected: <= 4.7.4 Fixed in: 4.7.5

References

What to do about this

Patch on your next cycle Worth fixing, but not ahead of other work.

Fix it

Update WordPress Core to 4.7.5 or later.

That is the complete fix. Everything below is what protects you in the meantime.

No Hack Halt control meaningfully contains this one — updating is the remedy. We would rather say so than sell you something that will not help.

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Not sure if you are affected?

Scan your site to see whether it runs WordPress Core, and at which version.

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Am I affected by this vulnerability?

You are affected if your site runs WordPress Core. Versions below 4.7.5 are vulnerable; that release and later are not.

How do I fix it?

Update WordPress Core to version 4.7.5 or later. That is the complete fix.