CVE-2021-24859: The User Meta Shortcodes WordPress plugin through 0.5 registers a shortcode that allows any user with a role a

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-24859?

user meta shortcodes: upgrade to newer than 0.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-24859 being exploited?

CVE-2021-24859 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-2021-24859 affect?

CVE-2021-24859 affects user meta shortcodes. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). The User Meta Shortcodes WordPress plugin through 0.5 registers a shortcode that allows any user with a role as low as contributor to access other users metadata by specifying the user login as a parameter. This makes the WP instance vulner

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-24859?

Priority 34/100. Public exploit reference

Routine

MEDIUM 4.3UPGRADE

CVE-2021-24859 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.3) affecting user meta shortcodes. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The User Meta Shortcodes WordPress plugin through 0.5 registers a shortcode that allows any user with a role as low as contributor to access other users metadata by specifying the user login as a parameter. This makes the WP instance vulnerable to data extrafiltration, including password hashes

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.3 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.8% (top 43%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-284
Published	2021-12-13
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: user meta shortcodes project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-12-13 11:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:41 UTCUpdated Record last modified

user meta shortcodes project user meta shortcodes UPGRADE

Affected: <= 0.5

Fixed in: newer than 0.5

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy user-meta-shortcodes || rpm -q user-meta-shortcodes || user-meta-shortcodes --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 0.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade user-meta-shortcodes

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade user-meta-shortcodes

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-2021-24859?

user meta shortcodes: upgrade to newer than 0.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-24859 being exploited?

CVE-2021-24859 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-2021-24859 affect?

CVE-2021-24859 affects user meta shortcodes. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.3). The User Meta Shortcodes WordPress plugin through 0.5 registers a shortcode that allows any user with a role as low as contributor to access other users metadata by specifying the user login as a parameter. This makes the WP instance vulner

How urgent is CVE-2021-24859?

Priority 34/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

References

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