CVE-2017-8295

MEDIUM EXPLOITED

WordPress <= 4.7.4 - Unauthenticated Weak Password Recovery Mechanism via Host Header Manipulation

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2017-8295 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 6 public exploits from researchers including Dawid Golunski, cyberheartmi9, alash3al.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit demonstrates a password reset vulnerability in WordPress 4.7 by manipulating the Host header to redirect password reset emails to an attacker-controlled domain. It leverages improper handling of the SERVER_NAME variable to spoof email headers.

Description

WordPress through 4.7.4 relies on the Host HTTP header for a password-reset e-mail message, which makes it easier for remote attackers to reset arbitrary passwords by making a crafted wp-login.php?action=lostpassword request and then arranging for this message to bounce or be resent, leading to transmission of the reset key to a mailbox on an attacker-controlled SMTP server. This is related to problematic use of the SERVER_NAME variable in wp-includes/pluggable.php in conjunction with the PHP mail function. Exploitation is not achievable in all cases because it requires at least one of the following: (1) the attacker can prevent the victim from receiving any e-mail messages for an extended period of time (such as 5 days), (2) the victim's e-mail system sends an autoresponse containing the original message, or (3) the victim manually composes a reply containing the original message.

Exploits (6)

exploitdb WORKING POC
by Dawid Golunski · textwebappslinux
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41963

This exploit demonstrates a password reset vulnerability in WordPress 4.7 by manipulating the Host header to redirect password reset emails to an attacker-controlled domain. It leverages improper handling of the SERVER_NAME variable to spoof email headers.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress 4.7
No auth needed
Prerequisites: WordPress installation accessible via IP-based vhost · Default WordPress configuration
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 20 stars
by cyberheartmi9 · remote
https://github.com/cyberheartmi9/CVE-2017-8295

This PoC exploits CVE-2017-8295, a WordPress password reset vulnerability where the Host header is used to manipulate the password reset email destination. The script sends crafted requests to multiple WordPress sites to trigger password reset emails to an attacker-controlled domain.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress (versions affected by CVE-2017-8295)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: List of target WordPress sites · Attacker-controlled domain to receive password reset emails
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP 2 stars
by alash3al · poc
https://github.com/alash3al/wp-allowed-hosts

This repository provides a WordPress plugin designed to mitigate the CVE-2017-8295 vulnerability by restricting allowed hostnames. It includes installation and usage instructions but does not contain exploit code.

Classification
Writeup 100%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: WordPress (unspecified version)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: WordPress installation · Ability to modify wp-config.php
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC 1 stars
by vaishakhcv · perlpoc
https://github.com/vaishakhcv/CVE-exploits/tree/master/CVE-2017-8295

This repository contains a functional Perl exploit for CVE-2017-8295, which targets WordPress versions prior to 4.7.4. The exploit manipulates the Host HTTP header to redirect password reset emails to an attacker-controlled domain, allowing unauthorized password resets.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress < 4.7.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: attacker-controlled domain · victim's email system must either bounce, autorespond, or manually reply with the original message
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
github WORKING POC
by winterwolf32 · perlpoc
https://github.com/winterwolf32/CVE_Exploits-/tree/master/CVE-2017-8295

This repository contains a functional Perl exploit for CVE-2017-8295, which leverages the Host HTTP header to manipulate WordPress password reset emails. The exploit sends a crafted request to trigger a password reset email to an attacker-controlled domain.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress < 4.7.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: attacker-controlled domain for email interception
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 27, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP
by homjxi0e · poc
https://github.com/homjxi0e/CVE-2017-8295-WordPress-4.7.4---Unauthorized-Password-Reset

This repository contains a writeup describing CVE-2017-8295, an unauthorized password reset vulnerability in WordPress 4.7.4. The vulnerability allows attackers to obtain password reset links without authentication, potentially leading to account compromise.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Auth Bypass
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: WordPress 4.7.4
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the WordPress password reset functionality
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (6)

Core 6
Core References
Exploit, Third Party Advisory exploit x_refsource_exploit-db
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/41963/
Exploit, Technical Description, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://exploitbox.io/vuln/WordPress-Exploit-4-7-Unauth-Password-Reset-0day-CVE-2017-8295.html
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3870
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1038403
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/98295
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://wpvulndb.com/vulnerabilities/8807

Scores

CVSS v3 5.9
EPSS 0.2670
EPSS Percentile 97.8%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2022-01-26
CWE
CWE-640
Status published
Products (1)
wordpress/wordpress < 4.7.4
Published May 04, 2017
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026