WordPress 4.3.1 is Rolled-Out – You must update your website immediately

WordPress 4.3.1, released on August 19, 2015, was a maintenance and security update for the 4.3 series. This version focused primarily on addressing security vulnerabilities and fixing bugs to enhance the overall stability and security of the WordPress platform. Notable improvements included a fix for a potential XSS (cross-site scripting) vulnerability in the admin dashboard and enhancements to the handling of HTML in the customizer. The update also aimed to improve the reliability of site administration, with several minor tweaks and patches to ensure a smoother user experience.

Update WordPress 4.3.1

Updating WordPress 4.3.1 is essential for maintaining a secure and stable website. Each new release often includes critical security patches that address vulnerabilities discovered in previous versions. Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit weaknesses in outdated software, so keeping WordPress up-to-date is a fundamental step in protecting your site from potential security threats. An updated system reduces the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security issues that could compromise your site’s integrity and the safety of your users’ information.

In addition to security, updates bring important bug fixes and performance improvements. Over time, developers identify and address issues that can cause glitches or slow down your site. By applying updates, you benefit from these fixes, ensuring that your site operates smoothly and efficiently. This not only improves the user experience but also helps maintain high performance, which is crucial for retaining visitors and improving search engine rankings.

New features and enhancements are another significant reason to update WordPress. Each version often includes new tools, functionalities, and improvements to the user interface. These updates can enhance your ability to manage content, customize your site, and leverage the latest technologies. Staying current with updates allows you to take advantage of these innovations, keeping your site modern and competitive in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

Lastly, updates help ensure compatibility with plugins and themes. Developers regularly update these extensions to work seamlessly with the latest version of WordPress 4.3.1. If your core installation is outdated, you might encounter compatibility issues, which can lead to broken functionalities or errors on your site. Keeping your WordPress version up-to-date ensures that your plugins and themes continue to work properly and provides a cohesive and functional experience across your entire site.

WordPress 4.3.1 Includes

In addition to security and bug fixes, WordPress 4.3.1 continued to build upon the features introduced in the initial 4.3 release. This included the introduction of the Site Icons feature, which allowed users to easily upload and manage icons that would appear in browser tabs, bookmarks, and app icons. The update also refined the formatting tools available in the editor, further enhancing the ability to create well-structured and visually appealing content. Overall, WordPress 4.3.1 was a crucial update for maintaining site security and improving user functionality.

WordPress 4.3.1, already informed the community and web administrator that it is strongly encouraged to all of them who are using WordPress, to update their sites on an immediate basis.

WordPress 4.3.1 Security and Bug Fixes

Three major issues were addressed in the security release, which includes the vulnerabilities found in two cross-site scripting, as well as the potential privilege escalation.

A. As reported by the community member and contributor, Shahar Tal and Netanel Rubin, WordPress version 4.3 and earlier are vulnerable to a cross-site scripting vulnerability while processing shortcode tags.

B. Besides, another separate cross-site scripting vulnerability was also found in the user list table, as reported by Ben Bidner of the WordPress security team.

C. And lastly, in some cases, private posts could be published and could be made sticky by users without proper permission.

D. Additionally, WordPress 4.3.1 also addresses and fixes twenty-six bugs, which were found earlier.

Knowledge Source: WordPress.org