CVE-2021-42362

WordPress Popular Posts <= 5.3.2 Authenticated Arbitrary File Upload

8.8 HighPublic exploit

The WordPress Popular Posts WordPress plugin is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to insufficient input file type validation found in the ~/src/Image.php file which makes it possible for attackers with contributor level access and above to upload malicious files that can be used to obtain remote code execution, in versions up to and including 5.3.2.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector: Network
Complexity: Low
Privileges needed: Low
User interaction: None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality: High
Integrity: High
Availability: High

Exploit likelihood

79.8%Up 77.5 points since Nov 18, 2021

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 8.8

WordPress Popular Posts <= 5.3.2 Authenticated Arbitrary File Upload

Record: CVE-2021-42362
CVSS 3.1: 8.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness: CWE-434
Updated: 2026-11-02

EUVDEUVD-2021-29333 8.8

Record: EUVD-2021-29333
CVSS 3.1: 8.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-03

GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-p9wv-phc4-8hqf No score

The WordPress Popular Posts WordPress plugin is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to...

Record: GHSA-p9wv-phc4-8hqf
Weakness: CWE-434
Updated: 2026-11-02

NVD 8.8

Record: CVE-2021-42362
CVSS 3.1: 8.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0: 6.5 MediumAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
Weakness: CWE-434
Updated: 2026-11-02

OSV 8.8

Record: CVE-2021-42362
CVSS 3.1: 8.8 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated: 2026-11-02

Affected products

Public exploits

Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.

Public exploits
Source	Link	Date
Exploit-DB	WordPress Plugin Popular Posts 5.3.2 - Remote Code Execution (RCE) (Authenticated)	2021-07-15
Metasploit	Wordpress Popular Posts Authenticated RCE	2021-06-11
PoC in GitHub	samiba6/CVE-2021-42362	2025-04-14
PoC in GitHub	simonecris/CVE-2021-42362-PoC	2021-07-14

History

History
Recorded	Changed	Sources
Nov 3, 2026	aliases, products, published	EUVD
Nov 2, 2026	first indexed	CVE List, Exploit-DB, GitHub Advisories, Metasploit, NVD, OSV, PoC in GitHub

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2021-42362 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.8) in Hector Cabrera Wordpress Popular Posts, published November 17, 2021. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 79.8%, the 99th percentile. No source names a fixed version.