The Better Search plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery in versions up to, and including, 2.5.2. This is due to missing or incorrect nonce validation on the bsearch_process_settings_import() and bsearch_process_settings_export() functions. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to import and export settings via a forged request granted they can trick a site administrator into performing an action such as clicking on a link.
CVE-2021-4400 is a medium severity with CVSS 4.3 Cross-Site Request Forgery issue affecting the Plugin Better Search – Relevant search results for WordPress. It affects Versions up to 2.5.2 and is fixed in 2.5.3.
Use the related hub and response guides to connect this CVE-2021-4400 report with patch validation, scanner checks, and site hardening work.
Open the grouped hub for related CVEs, affected ranges, severity mix, and patch coverage.
Check access, XML-RPC exposure, backup readiness, and monitoring after patching.
Use containment, evidence capture, remediation, and validation steps when exploit risk is high.
CVE-2021-4400 is tracked for the Plugin Better Search – Relevant search results for WordPress as medium severity with CVSS 4.3. The affected range is Versions up to 2.5.2. Update Better Search – Relevant search results for WordPress to 2.5.3 or newer where that version is compatible with the site.
Search engines and operators need more than a title. This page exposes the identifier, affected range, patch evidence, and source coverage that make the vulnerability actionable.
This report has a CVE identifier, which makes it suitable for focused search and vulnerability triage workflows.
Affected version data gives operators a concrete comparison point against installed WordPress software.
A fixed version is present, so the page can answer update and remediation intent directly.
External references are available for source validation, advisory review, and incident notes.
Use these checks when converting this record into a patch ticket, incident note, or risk acceptance decision.
Inventory the installed Plugin package and compare its version with Versions up to 2.5.2.
Confirm Better Search – Relevant search results for WordPress is updated to 2.5.3 or newer.
Review references and CVSS vector details for exploitability, authentication requirements, and exposure path.
After patching, re-run vulnerability monitoring and keep the related plugin or theme hub under review for follow-up CVEs.
| Software Type | Plugin |
|---|---|
| Software Slug |
better-search
View on wordpress.org
|
| CVE | CVE-2021-4400 |
| Patched Versions |
2.5.3
|
| Affected Versions |
Versions up to 2.5.2
|
These internal links group the same WordPress plugin by CVE, issue type, severity, and patch status so operators and search engines can connect the full vulnerability cluster.
Better Search <= 2.5.2 - Cross-Site Request Forgery to Settings Import
Better Search <= 3.3.0 - Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Better Search <= 4.2.1 - Authenticated (Author+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Better Search <= 4.1.0 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting
Better Search < 2.2.3 - SQL Injection
Better Search <= 1.3.4 - Reflected Cross-Site Scripting
Better Search <= 3.1.0 - Cross-Site Request Forgery
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