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Home / Blog / wordpress 4.3
Security Advisory

WordPress 4.3: 144 Critical Vulnerabilities Explained

📅 June 07, 2026 ·⏱ 5 min read ·🔒 SiteRecipe Security Team
27 websites still running wordpress 4.3  → View full list
144
Total
9
Critical
26
High
106
Medium
3
Low

WordPress 4.3 is an outdated version that currently has 144 known security vulnerabilities, including 9 critical issues that pose serious risks to your website. These vulnerabilities can allow hackers to execute malicious code, steal data, and take complete control of your site. If you're still using WordPress 4.3, it's crucial to understand the dangers and take immediate action to protect your business.

The security landscape has changed dramatically since WordPress 4.3's release. Modern websites face increasingly sophisticated attacks targeting outdated software. With 27 websites still using this vulnerable version, you're not alone—but that doesn't mean you should delay your upgrade. This guide will help you identify if you're at risk and provide clear steps to secure your WordPress installation.

What is Wordpress 4.3?

WordPress 4.3 is a major version of WordPress released in 2015. WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that powers nearly 43% of all websites on the internet. It allows users without coding knowledge to create, publish, and manage website content through an intuitive dashboard interface. WordPress 4.3 specifically introduced improvements to media management, customization options, and overall user experience.

However, WordPress 4.3 was released nearly a decade ago, and cybersecurity threats have evolved tremendously since then. WordPress regularly releases security updates to patch newly discovered vulnerabilities. When you don't update your software, you're running with known security holes that hackers actively exploit. Think of it like leaving your front door unlocked while publicizing that you're away—attackers know exactly where to find weaknesses.

Key Vulnerabilities in Wordpress 4.3

144 CVEs found. The most critical are explained below.

CRITICAL CVE-2023-5201 9.9/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
OpenHook Plugin Allows Server Code Execution

The OpenHook plugin has a serious flaw that lets people with basic user accounts run harmful code directly on your server. This is only a risk if you've enabled the [php] shortcode feature in your plugin settings.

Impact: An attacker could take complete control of your website, steal data, modify content, or use your server to attack others.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2019-20361 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
Email Subscribers Plugin Database Hack

The Email Subscribers & Newsletters plugin has a weakness that allows attackers to secretly access your database by inserting malicious commands. They can extract sensitive information without leaving obvious signs.

Impact: Hackers could steal your subscriber list, customer information, or other sensitive data stored in your database.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2022-0747 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
Infographic Maker Plugin Database Vulnerability

The Infographic Maker plugin doesn't properly check user input before accessing your database. Attackers don't even need to log in to exploit this vulnerability.

Impact: Unauthorized users could extract or manipulate your website's database, potentially exposing all your stored information.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2022-3254 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
Classifieds Plugin Database Injection Flaw

The WordPress Classifieds plugin fails to validate user input properly when processing certain requests. Anyone, logged in or not, can exploit this to access your database.

Impact: Attackers could read, modify, or delete your classified listings and other database records.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2022-3463 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Within 7 days
Contact Form Plugin CSV Export Vulnerability

The Contact Form Plugin doesn't properly clean data when you export form responses as CSV files. This allows attackers to inject harmful code into your exported files.

Impact: When you open exported CSV files in Excel, the malicious code could run and compromise your computer or steal information.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2023-28662 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
Gift Cards Plugin Database Access Vulnerability

The Gift Cards plugin has a flaw in one of its features that lets anyone, without logging in, execute database commands. Attackers can exploit this through a specific technical parameter.

Impact: Hackers could steal your gift card data, customer information, or take control of your website's database.

↗ View on NVD

Additional Vulnerabilities (138 more)

Showing first 10 of 138. View all on NVD ↗

CVE IDSeverityScore PublishedDescription
CVE-2025-11693 CRITICAL 9.8 2025-12-13 The Export WP Page to Static HTML & PDF plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 4.3.4 through publicly exposed c…
CVE-2025-32202 CRITICAL 9.1 2025-04-10 Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type vulnerability in Brian Batt - elearningfreak.com Insert or Embed Articulate Content into WordPress insert-or-embed-articulate-conte…
CVE-2026-4365 CRITICAL 9.1 2026-04-14 The LearnPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized data deletion due to a missing capability check on the `delete_question_answer()` function in all versions up to,…
CVE-2016-10874 HIGH 8.8 2019-08-12 The wp-database-backup plugin before 4.3.3 for WordPress has CSRF.
CVE-2016-10876 HIGH 8.8 2019-08-12 The wp-database-backup plugin before 4.3.1 for WordPress has CSRF.
CVE-2020-10568 HIGH 8.8 2020-03-14 The sitepress-multilingual-cms (WPML) plugin before 4.3.7-b.2 for WordPress has CSRF due to a loose comparison. This leads to remote code execution in includes/class-wp-installer.…
CVE-2022-3417 HIGH 8.8 2023-01-09 The WPtouch WordPress plugin before 4.3.45 unserialises the content of an imported settings file, which could lead to PHP object injections issues when an user import (intentional…
CVE-2024-5034 HIGH 8.8 2024-07-13 The SULly WordPress plugin before 4.3.1 does not have CSRF checks in some places, which could allow attackers to make logged in users perform unwanted actions via CSRF attacks
CVE-2024-5630 HIGH 8.8 2024-07-15 The Insert or Embed Articulate Content into WordPress plugin before 4.3000000024 does not prevent authors from uploading arbitrary files to the site, which may allow them to uploa…
CVE-2024-9195 HIGH 8.8 2025-02-28 The WHMPress - WHMCS Client Area plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on…
Full Report Available

All 144 CVEs with AI explanations + fix guide

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How to Fix These Vulnerabilities

Conclusion

WordPress 4.3 presents a serious security risk with 144 known vulnerabilities waiting to be exploited. The 9 critical CVEs we've detailed can lead to unauthorized code execution, data breaches, and complete website compromise. Delaying this upgrade isn't just a technical issue—it's a business risk that could result in lost customers, legal liability, and expensive recovery costs.

Don't let your website become another victim of preventable attacks. SiteRecipe.com provides comprehensive WordPress security scanning and automated vulnerability assessment tools that identify which versions you're running and flag all known CVEs affecting your site. Our platform makes it easy to track your WordPress health, prioritize critical updates, and maintain a secure online presence. Start your free security scan today and protect your website before it's too late.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress 4.3 still supported with security updates?
No. WordPress 4.3 reached end-of-life years ago and receives no official security updates or patches. WordPress only supports the current version and one version back. Running unsupported software puts your site at extreme risk from known exploits.
Can I skip versions and jump directly from 4.3 to the latest WordPress?
Yes, you can upgrade directly from WordPress 4.3 to the latest version. However, this is a major jump, so thorough backup and testing are essential. Some older plugins and themes may not be compatible with modern WordPress versions, which is why testing is critical.
What happens if my website gets hacked through these vulnerabilities?
Hackers could steal customer data, inject malware, deface your site, use your server for spam, or hold your content for ransom. Recovery costs thousands of dollars and damages your reputation. Prevention through updates is far cheaper than dealing with a breach.
How long does a WordPress upgrade typically take?
A standard WordPress upgrade takes 5-15 minutes, but the backup and testing process may take 1-2 hours depending on your site's complexity. Most hosting providers offer one-click upgrades that automate much of this process.
Will upgrading break my website's functionality?
Modern WordPress upgrades are generally safe, but compatibility issues can occur with old plugins or themes. That's why backing up and testing in a staging environment first is essential. Most well-maintained plugins update automatically alongside WordPress.

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DISCLAIMER: This report is based on publicly available CVE data from the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) maintained by NIST. Detection of a technology version does not confirm active exploitation on any specific website. For informational purposes only. SiteRecipe is not responsible for actions taken based on this report. Always consult a qualified security professional.

Source: nvd.nist.gov · Published: June 07, 2026 · SiteRecipe.com