CVE-2020-28039

9.1 CRITICAL 4% exploit odds Fix listed Other Web app

What it is

is_protected_meta in wp-includes/meta.php in WordPress before 5.5.2 allows arbitrary file deletion because it does not properly determine whether a meta key is considered protected.

At a glance

Exploitability: Can be exploited over the network without logging in. High risk of data tampering, service disruption.
Exploit odds: 4.1% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Fix: A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

2020-11-02 21:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2026-06-17 03:10 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
Exploit odds: 4.1% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
Severity: 9.1 CRITICAL (CVSS).
Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published: 2020-11-02 21:15 UTC
Last modified: 2026-06-17 03:10 UTC
Exploit probability: 4.1% · EPSS, next 30 days
Record status: Modified

Affected

WordPress < 5.5.2
Debian Linux 9.0
Debian Linux 10.0
Canonical Ubuntu Linux 16.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux 18.04
Canonical Ubuntu Linux 20.04

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 9.1

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: None
User interaction: None
Scope: Unchanged
Confidentiality: None
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Raw vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2020-28039.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2020-28039. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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Fix and advisories

References

NVD record · CVE.org record