Home Plans Products
Tools
Technology Trends Keyword Lists Browser Extensions
Features
Lead Generation Market Analysis Sales Intelligence
Resources
FAQ About Contact Blog
Account
Login Sign up
Home / Blog / wordpress 5.6
Security Advisory

WordPress 5.6: 59 Critical Vulnerabilities Explained (2024)

📅 June 07, 2026 ·⏱ 5 min read ·🔒 SiteRecipe Security Team
4 websites still running wordpress 5.6  → View full list
59
Total
6
Critical
14
High
39
Medium

WordPress 5.6 contains a significant security risk with 59 documented vulnerabilities, including 6 critical issues that could allow attackers to gain administrative access to your website. While only 4 websites currently run this outdated version, those that do face serious threats including code injection, SQL injection, and unauthorized file uploads. If your site hasn't been updated in years, this guide will help you understand the risks and take immediate action.

The vulnerabilities in WordPress 5.6 range from privilege escalation attacks to directory traversal exploits. Attackers could potentially steal sensitive files, inject malicious code, or completely take over your website's admin account. This isn't theoretical—these vulnerabilities are well-documented and actively exploited by cybercriminals targeting outdated WordPress installations.

What is Wordpress 5.6?

WordPress 5.6 is an older version of WordPress, the content management system that powers over 43% of all websites on the internet. Released in December 2020, it was eventually superseded by newer versions that included security patches and feature improvements. WordPress versions are numbered, and 5.6 simply means it's from the 5.x branch of the software. Think of it like your phone's operating system—older versions work, but they lack critical security updates that newer versions include.

When WordPress releases new versions, each update typically fixes known security holes and vulnerabilities discovered by the community. WordPress 5.6 was secure when released, but as hackers discovered vulnerabilities over time, newer versions patched them. If you're still running WordPress 5.6 today, your site is missing years worth of security fixes. It's similar to using an outdated antivirus—it might still work, but it's not protecting you against current threats.

Key Vulnerabilities in Wordpress 5.6

59 CVEs found. The most critical are explained below.

CRITICAL CVE-2015-9298 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
Events Manager Plugin Can Run Malicious Code

The Events Manager plugin has a vulnerability that allows hackers to inject and run harmful code on your website. This means attackers can take control of your site's functionality and data.

Impact: Attackers could steal customer information, deface your website, send spam, or completely take over your site's operations.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2018-21004 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.0 ⏱ Immediate
RSVP Maker Plugin Database Can Be Accessed Illegally

The RSVP Maker plugin has a weakness that lets hackers query and access your website's database directly without permission. They can see all the data stored in your database, including customer information and settings.

Impact: Hackers could steal customer data, event information, email addresses, and any other sensitive information stored in your database.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2023-28121 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
WooCommerce Payments Allows Unauthorized Admin Access

The WooCommerce Payments plugin allows hackers who aren't even logged in to act as if they have administrator access to your store. They can make requests and changes as if they were a site owner.

Impact: Attackers could modify products, steal payment information, change settings, access customer data, or completely compromise your store.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2025-4322 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
Motors Theme Lets Hackers Change Admin Passwords

The Motors theme doesn't properly verify who someone is before letting them change passwords. This means hackers can take over any account, including administrator accounts, without knowing the current password.

Impact: Hackers can gain complete control of your website by taking over admin accounts and locking you out of your own site.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2026-6960 9.8/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Immediate
BookingPress Pro Allows Upload of Dangerous Files

The BookingPress Pro plugin doesn't check what type of files customers upload through booking forms. Hackers can upload dangerous files like executable code instead of legitimate documents.

Impact: Attackers could upload malicious files that give them server access, steal data, or infect your website with malware.

↗ View on NVD
CRITICAL CVE-2023-5414 9.1/10 · CVSS v3.1 ⏱ Within 7 days
Icegram Express Exposes Server Files to Admins

The Icegram Express plugin has a flaw that allows administrators to access and read files anywhere on your server, not just their intended files. This includes sensitive system files and configuration data.

Impact: Admin users could access database passwords, API keys, and other confidential server information that could be used to compromise your entire hosting account.

↗ View on NVD

Additional Vulnerabilities (53 more)

Showing first 10 of 53. View all on NVD ↗

CVE IDSeverityScore PublishedDescription
CVE-2018-20967 HIGH 8.8 2019-08-14 The wp-ultimate-csv-importer plugin before 5.6.1 for WordPress has CSRF.
CVE-2022-0410 HIGH 8.8 2022-03-07 The WP Visitor Statistics (Real Time Traffic) WordPress plugin before 5.6 does not sanitise and escape the id parameter before using it in a SQL statement via the refUrlDetails AJ…
CVE-2022-3769 HIGH 8.8 2022-11-28 The OWM Weather WordPress plugin before 5.6.9 does not properly sanitise and escape a parameter before using it in a SQL statement, leading to a SQL injection exploitable by users…
CVE-2024-3211 HIGH 8.8 2024-04-12 The Shopping Cart & eCommerce Store plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to SQL Injection via the 'productid' attribute of the ec_addtocart shortcode in all versions up to, and incl…
CVE-2022-3763 HIGH 8.1 2022-11-21 The Booster for WooCommerce WordPress plugin before 5.6.7, Booster Plus for WooCommerce WordPress plugin before 5.6.5, Booster Elite for WooCommerce WordPress plugin before 1.1.7 …
CVE-2022-44589 HIGH 8.1 2023-12-29 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor vulnerability in miniOrange miniOrange's Google Authenticator – WordPress Two Factor Authentication – 2FA , Two Factor, …
CVE-2024-31210 HIGH 7.6 2024-04-04 WordPress is an open publishing platform for the Web. It's possible for a file of a type other than a zip file to be submitted as a new plugin by an administrative user on the Plu…
CVE-2022-4943 HIGH 7.5 2023-10-20 The miniOrange's Google Authenticator plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass due to a missing capability check when changing plugin settings in versions up to,…
CVE-2024-5551 HIGH 7.5 2024-06-14 The WP STAGING Pro WordPress Backup Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in all versions up to, and including, 5.6.0. This is due to missing or …
CVE-2024-13738 HIGH 7.3 2025-05-03 The The Motors - Car Dealer, Rental & Listing WordPress theme theme for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 5.6.65. This…
Full Report Available

All 59 CVEs with AI explanations + fix guide

Plain English · Fix recommendations · Instant PDF & HTML download

⬇ Get Full Report
PDF + HTML · Instant download

Is your website running Wordpress 5.6?

Scan your site in 30 seconds. Used by 500+ web agencies.

How to Check If Your Website Is Affected

How to Fix These Vulnerabilities

Conclusion

WordPress 5.6 contains 59 vulnerabilities that could compromise your entire website, from unauthorized admin access to arbitrary file uploads. Staying on outdated software is one of the biggest security mistakes website owners make. The good news? Updating WordPress takes just minutes and immediately closes most of these security holes. Don't wait for hackers to exploit these known vulnerabilities on your site.

Use SiteRecipe.com today to scan your WordPress installation and identify every vulnerability in your software, plugins, and themes. Our free security scanner shows you exactly what's outdated and dangerous, and guides you through fixes step-by-step. Protecting your website has never been easier—start your free vulnerability scan now and secure your site in minutes, not hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress 5.6 completely unusable today?
While WordPress 5.6 still technically functions, it's extremely risky to use. It's missing thousands of security patches from newer versions and contains documented vulnerabilities that hackers actively exploit. Updating to WordPress 6.4 or newer is essential for your site's safety. Even if updating seems intimidating, the security risk of staying on 5.6 far outweighs the small effort required to update.
Will updating WordPress break my website?
WordPress updates are designed to be backward compatible and rarely cause problems. However, conflicts can occasionally occur with poorly coded plugins or themes from outdated extensions. This is why we recommend backing up your site first, updating plugins, and testing before and after. Most websites update without any issues whatsoever.
Can I just leave WordPress 5.6 alone if hackers haven't attacked yet?
No. This is like leaving your front door unlocked because burglars haven't come by yet. Hackers actively scan the internet for outdated WordPress installations with known vulnerabilities, and they will eventually find yours. Staying vulnerable puts your business data, customer information, and reputation at serious risk. Update now before it becomes a problem.

Generate white-label reports for your clients

Web agencies use SiteRecipe to produce branded PDF security reports in 30 seconds.

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