CVE-2023-1861: The Limit Login Attempts WordPress plugin through 1.7.2 does not sanitize and escape usernames when outputting

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-1861?

limit login attempts: upgrade to newer than 1.7.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-1861 being exploited?

CVE-2023-1861 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-2023-1861 affect?

CVE-2023-1861 affects limit login attempts. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.4). The Limit Login Attempts WordPress plugin through 1.7.2 does not sanitize and escape usernames when outputting them back in the logs dashboard, which could allow any authenticated users, such as subscriber to perform Stored Cross-Site Scrip

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-1861?

Priority 48/100. EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

This week

MEDIUM 5.4UPGRADE

CVE-2023-1861 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.4) affecting limit login attempts. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Limit Login Attempts WordPress plugin through 1.7.2 does not sanitize and escape usernames when outputting them back in the logs dashboard, which could allow any authenticated users, such as subscriber to perform Stored Cross-Site Scripting attacks

Why this priority

EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.4 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	28.8% (top 2%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2023-05-02
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: limit login attempts project

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-05-02 08:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 05:28 UTCUpdated Record last modified

limit login attempts project limit login attempts UPGRADE

Affected: <= 1.7.2

Fixed in: newer than 1.7.2

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy limit-login-attempts || rpm -q limit-login-attempts || limit-login-attempts --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 1.7.2 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade limit-login-attempts

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade limit-login-attempts

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-2023-1861?

limit login attempts: upgrade to newer than 1.7.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-1861 being exploited?

CVE-2023-1861 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-2023-1861 affect?

CVE-2023-1861 affects limit login attempts. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.4). The Limit Login Attempts WordPress plugin through 1.7.2 does not sanitize and escape usernames when outputting them back in the logs dashboard, which could allow any authenticated users, such as subscriber to perform Stored Cross-Site Scrip

How urgent is CVE-2023-1861?

Priority 48/100. EPSS top 2%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2023-1912 HIGH 7.2 UPGRADE The Limit Login Attempts plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via its lock loggin
CVE-2022-1029 MEDIUM 4.8 UPGRADE The Limit Login Attempts WordPress plugin before 4.0.72 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, lea

References

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