CVE-2024-9161: The Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized m

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-9161?

seo: upgrade to 1.0.229. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-9161 being exploited?

CVE-2024-9161 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-2024-9161 affect?

CVE-2024-9161 affects seo. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). The Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification and loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'update_metadata' function in all versions up to, and includ

Q: How urgent is CVE-2024-9161?

Priority 48/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

MEDIUM 6.5REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2024-9161 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.5) affecting seo. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification and loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'update_metadata' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.0.228. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to insert new and update existing metadata beginning with 'rank_math', and delete arbitrary existing user metadata and term metadata. Deleting

Why this priority

Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.1% (top 18%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-862
Published	2024-10-05
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Wordfence · Vendor: rankmath

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-10-05 12:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 08:24 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rankmath seo UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.0.229

Fixed in: 1.0.229

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 1.0.229 (Debian / Ubuntu)

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

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade seo

Note

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

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Nuclei scan template: Rank Math SEO < 1.0.229 - Unauthenticated User and Term Metadata Insert/Update/Deletion

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-2024-9161?

seo: upgrade to 1.0.229. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-9161 being exploited?

CVE-2024-9161 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-2024-9161 affect?

CVE-2024-9161 affects seo. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.5). The Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification and loss of data due to a missing capability check on the 'update_metadata' function in all versions up to, and includ

How urgent is CVE-2024-9161?

Priority 48/100. Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities

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References

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