WordPress 4.2.4 is still running on 27 websites worldwide, but it contains 15 known security vulnerabilities that put your site at serious risk. With 4 high-severity CVEs including SQL injection, PHP object injection, and local file inclusion flaws, this outdated version is a prime target for cybercriminals. If your website is running WordPress 4.2.4, you're operating with significant security gaps that could lead to data breaches, malware infections, and complete site compromise.
This comprehensive guide will help you understand the specific threats facing WordPress 4.2.4, how to identify if your site is vulnerable, and the exact steps to secure your installation. We'll walk you through each critical vulnerability and provide actionable remediation strategies that will protect your website and your visitors' data.
WordPress 4.2.4 is an older version of WordPress released in 2015 to patch several security issues. WordPress is the content management system that powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, making it both incredibly popular and a frequent target for hackers. Think of WordPress as the foundation of your house—if that foundation is old and has cracks, everything built on top of it becomes vulnerable.
While WordPress 4.2.4 was considered secure when it was released a decade ago, modern cybercriminals have discovered multiple ways to exploit it. These vulnerabilities weren't all found at once; many were discovered years later through careful security research. Running an old version is like driving a car from 2015 without any of the modern safety features—it might still run, but it's far more dangerous than current alternatives.
15 CVEs found. The most critical are explained below.
If you use the Puzzles WP Magazine theme, there's a critical vulnerability in how it handles certain requests. Hackers can inject harmful code that allows them to take control of your website's functionality.
Impact: Attackers can execute malicious code on your server, potentially stealing data, modifying your website, or using your server for illegal activities without needing a login.
↗ View on NVDThe Edumall theme has a vulnerability that allows attackers to access and run PHP files they shouldn't be able to reach. It's like leaving a side door to your building unlocked.
Impact: Hackers can view sensitive system files, run malicious code, and potentially take full control of your website and server without any authentication.
↗ View on NVDIf you use the Dokan multivendor marketplace plugin, attackers can access and modify settings they shouldn't have permission to change through the plugin's API.
Impact: Unauthorized users could change marketplace settings, access other vendors' data, modify payment information, or disrupt your entire marketplace operations.
↗ View on NVDWordPress has a flaw that lets hackers inject malicious commands into your database through deleted comments. When comments are restored from trash, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute unauthorized database commands without needing to log in.
Impact: Attackers could steal your entire database including customer information, passwords, and business data. They could also modify or delete critical website content and user accounts.
↗ View on NVDWordPress has a feature that lets administrators lock posts to prevent others from editing them. A flaw allows hackers to trick admins into locking their own posts without their knowledge.
Impact: Your administrators could be tricked into locking important content, preventing legitimate editing and potentially disrupting your publishing workflow.
↗ View on NVDThe Puzzles theme allows logged-in users to inject hidden malicious code into your website that affects all visitors. This content appears normal but executes harmful scripts in visitors' browsers.
Impact: Your website visitors could have their data stolen, be redirected to phishing sites, or have malware installed on their computers while visiting your site.
↗ View on NVDShowing first 10 of 9. View all on NVD ↗
| CVE ID | Severity | Score | Published | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2025-6831 | MEDIUM | 6.4 | 2025-07-22 | The User Registration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the plugin's urcr_restrict shortcode in all versions up to, and including, 4.2.4 due to… |
| CVE-2024-9943 | MEDIUM | 6.3 | 2024-10-24 | The MultiVendorX – The Ultimate WooCommerce Multivendor Marketplace Solution plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including,… |
| CVE-2024-12309 | MEDIUM | 5.3 | 2024-12-13 | The Rate My Post – Star Rating Plugin by FeedbackWP plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Insecure Direct Object Reference in all versions up to, and including, 4.2.4 via the get_… |
| CVE-2025-14047 | MEDIUM | 5.3 | 2026-01-02 | The Registration, User Profile, Membership, Content Restriction, User Directory, and Frontend Post Submission – WP User Frontend plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized… |
| CVE-2015-5730 | MEDIUM | 5.0 | 2015-11-09 | The sanitize_widget_instance function in wp-includes/class-wp-customize-widgets.php in WordPress before 4.2.4 does not use a constant-time comparison for widgets, which allows rem… |
| CVE-2015-5732 | MEDIUM | 4.3 | 2015-11-09 | Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the form function in the WP_Nav_Menu_Widget class in wp-includes/default-widgets.php in WordPress before 4.2.4 allows remote attackers … |
| CVE-2015-5733 | MEDIUM | 4.3 | 2015-11-09 | Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the refreshAdvancedAccessibilityOfItem function in wp-admin/js/nav-menu.js in WordPress before 4.2.4 allows remote attackers to inject … |
| CVE-2015-5734 | MEDIUM | 4.3 | 2015-11-09 | Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the legacy theme preview implementation in wp-includes/theme.php in WordPress before 4.2.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary … |
| CVE-2024-9531 | MEDIUM | 4.3 | 2024-10-24 | The MultiVendorX – The Ultimate WooCommerce Multivendor Marketplace Solution plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing capability ch… |
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WordPress 4.2.4 is no longer safe for production websites. With 15 known vulnerabilities—including critical SQL injection, PHP object injection, and file inclusion flaws—staying on this version exposes your site to constant attack. The good news is that updating WordPress is straightforward and takes just minutes, but the consequences of not updating could cost you thousands in recovery costs, lost data, and damaged reputation.
Don't leave your website's security to chance. Use SiteRecipe.com's comprehensive vulnerability scanner to identify every security flaw in your WordPress installation, receive detailed remediation guidance, and monitor your site continuously for emerging threats. Our platform makes it easy for website owners of all technical levels to maintain enterprise-grade security. Start your free security scan today and take the first step toward protecting your website and your visitors.
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