CVE-2020-8658: The BestWebSoft Htaccess plugin through 1.8.1 for WordPress allows wp-admin/admin.php?page=htaccess.php&action

Q: How do I fix CVE-2020-8658?

htaccess: upgrade to newer than 1.8.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2020-8658 being exploited?

CVE-2020-8658 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2020-8658 affect?

CVE-2020-8658 affects htaccess. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). The BestWebSoft Htaccess plugin through 1.8.1 for WordPress allows wp-admin/admin.php?page=htaccess.php&action=htaccess_editor CSRF. The flag htccss_nonce_name passes the nonce to WordPress but the plugin does not validate it correctly, res

Q: How urgent is CVE-2020-8658?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

HIGH 8.8UPGRADE

CVE-2020-8658 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting htaccess. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The BestWebSoft Htaccess plugin through 1.8.1 for WordPress allows wp-admin/admin.php?page=htaccess.php&action=htaccess_editor CSRF. The flag htccss_nonce_name passes the nonce to WordPress but the plugin does not validate it correctly, resulting in a wrong implementation of anti-CSRF protection. In this way, an attacker is able to direct the victim to a malicious web page that modifies the .htaccess file, and takes control of the website.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	9.9% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-352
Published	2020-02-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: bestwebsoft

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2020-02-06 03:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:26 UTCUpdated Record last modified

bestwebsoft htaccess UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.8.1

Fixed in: newer than 1.8.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy htaccess || rpm -q htaccess || htaccess --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.8.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade htaccess

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade htaccess

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-8658?

htaccess: upgrade to newer than 1.8.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-8658 being exploited?

CVE-2020-8658 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-8658 affect?

CVE-2020-8658 affects htaccess. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). The BestWebSoft Htaccess plugin through 1.8.1 for WordPress allows wp-admin/admin.php?page=htaccess.php&action=htaccess_editor CSRF. The flag htccss_nonce_name passes the nonce to WordPress but the plugin does not validate it correctly, res

How urgent is CVE-2020-8658?

Priority 60/100. High severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities · PHP vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2017-18496 MEDIUM 6.1 UPGRADE The htaccess plugin before 1.7.6 for WordPress has multiple XSS issues.
CVE-2015-3349 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in the Htaccess module before 7.x-2.3 for Drupal al

References

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