CVE-2023-6165: The Restrict Usernames Emails Characters WordPress plugin before 3.1.4 does not sanitise and escape some of it

Q: How do I fix CVE-2023-6165?

restrict usernames emails characters: upgrade to 3.1.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2023-6165 being exploited?

CVE-2023-6165 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-2023-6165 affect?

CVE-2023-6165 affects restrict usernames emails characters. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.8). The Restrict Usernames Emails Characters WordPress plugin before 3.1.4 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when unfiltered_html

Q: How urgent is CVE-2023-6165?

Priority 30/100. Public exploit reference

Routine

MEDIUM 4.8UPGRADE

CVE-2023-6165 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 4.8) affecting restrict usernames emails characters. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Restrict Usernames Emails Characters WordPress plugin before 3.1.4 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when unfiltered_html is disallowed

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	4.8 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 65%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-79
Published	2024-01-29
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): WPScan · Vendor: benaceur-php

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-01-29 15:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:50 UTCUpdated Record last modified

benaceur-php restrict usernames emails characters UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.1.4

Fixed in: 3.1.4

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy restrict-usernames-emails-characters || rpm -q restrict-usernames-emails-characters || restrict-usernames-emails-characters --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.1.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade restrict-usernames-emails-characters

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade restrict-usernames-emails-characters

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-2023-6165?

restrict usernames emails characters: upgrade to 3.1.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-6165 being exploited?

CVE-2023-6165 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-2023-6165 affect?

CVE-2023-6165 affects restrict usernames emails characters. Severity is medium (CVSS 4.8). The Restrict Usernames Emails Characters WordPress plugin before 3.1.4 does not sanitise and escape some of its settings, which could allow high privilege users such as admin to perform Cross-Site Scripting attacks even when unfiltered_html

How urgent is CVE-2023-6165?

Priority 30/100. Public exploit reference

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities · PHP vulnerabilities

References

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