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Security Digest · Vulnerability record · Known exploited

CVE-2026-119977: WordPress WordPress Core Time-of-check Time-of-use (TOCTOU) Race Condition Vulnerability

Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). WordPress Core is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in versions 4.7 through 7.1.3.

CISA KEV · added 2026-11-03 CVSS 8.1 High EPSS 1.0% · p64 Act now

Updated By erroneo.us Security Desk14 references Seen in the digest for Nov 3, 2026

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

  • Yes, if you run WordPress WordPress Core. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-11-03, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-11-06; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
  • EPSS 1.0%, percentile 64: FIRST’s model estimates a 1.0% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 64% of all scored CVEs (moderate). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
  • Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
  • Editorial verdict: Act now. WordPress 7.1.4: Unauthenticated Upgrade-Window RCE — CISA now lists this as exploited and Wordfence is blocking thousands of attempts a day; the window is narrow, but confirm today that every site is on 7.1.4 or its branch backport and block PHP under wp-content/upgrade/.

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.

CISA’s summary

WordPress WordPress Core contains a time-of-check time-of-use (TOCTOU) race condition vulnerability that could allow unauthenticated attackers to execute code on the server during the upgrade window. This is due to predictable, web-accessible staging paths used during full-package core upgrades.

Weakness type: CWE-367.

Product: WordPress WordPress Core · Assigned by: Wordfence · Published: 2026-10-31

Affected and fixed versions

VendorProductAffected versions (per CVE record)
WordPress FoundationWordPress4.7.0 <= 4.7.38, 4.8.0 <= 4.8.33, 4.9.0 <= 4.9.34, 5.0.0 <= 5.0.30, 5.1.0 <= 5.1.27, 5.2.0 <= 5.2.29, 5.3.0 <= 5.3.26, 5.4.0 <= 5.4.24, 5.5.0 <= 5.5.23, 5.6.0 <= 5.6.22, 5.7.0 <= 5.7.20, 5.8.0 <= 5.8.18

Severity scores

Scored byCVSSScoreVector
Wordfence3.18.1 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
  • Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
  • Attack complexity: high (needs special conditions)
  • Privileges required: none (no login)
  • User interaction: none
  • Scope: unchanged

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

  • CISA KEV: added 2026-11-03; federal due date 2026-11-06. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
  • CISA 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 evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
  • CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
  • FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-11-04): 1.02% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 64.

Timeline

  • — erroneo.us brief: WordPress 7.1.4: Unauthenticated Upgrade-Window RCE
  • — CVE record published by Wordfence
  • — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
  • — CVE record last updated
  • — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

  1. Listed in CISA KEV notes (wordpress.org) wordpress.org
  2. Listed in CISA KEV notes (wordfence.com) wordfence.com

Vulnerability records

  1. CVE.org record CVE-2026-119977 cve.org
  2. NVD entry CVE-2026-119977 nvd.nist.gov

Government

  1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry cisa.gov
  2. Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov) cisa.gov
  3. Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov) cisa.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

  1. wordfence.com wordfence.com
  2. core.trac.wordpress.org core.trac.wordpress.org
  3. core.trac.wordpress.org core.trac.wordpress.org
  4. core.trac.wordpress.org core.trac.wordpress.org
  5. core.trac.wordpress.org core.trac.wordpress.org
  6. core.trac.wordpress.org core.trac.wordpress.org
  7. core.trac.wordpress.org core.trac.wordpress.org

All exploited WordPress vulnerabilities · Today’s Security Digest