WordPress Release: 3.9.36

TL;DR

WordPress 3.9.36 Update

This minor maintenance release updates the jQuery.query library from version 2.1.7 to 2.2.3. This update ensures WordPress maintains compatibility with modern web standards and addresses potential security concerns in the jQuery.query dependency. While this is a small update, it's important for maintaining the security and stability of WordPress 3.9.x installations.

Highlight of the Release

• Updated jQuery.query library from version 2.1.7 to 2.2.3
• Maintenance release focused on security and compatibility
• Seamless update with no breaking changes

Migration Guide

No migration steps are required for this update. The jQuery.query library update is handled automatically during the WordPress update process.

For site administrators:

1. Back up your WordPress site before updating (recommended for any update)
2. Update to WordPress 3.9.36 through your admin dashboard or via manual update
3. No additional configuration is needed after the update

Upgrade Recommendations

It is recommended that all WordPress 3.9.x users update to version 3.9.36 as soon as possible. This update contains a library update that may address security vulnerabilities in the jQuery.query dependency.

While WordPress 3.9.x is no longer receiving active development, this maintenance release demonstrates continued support for security-related updates. However, for optimal security and functionality, users should consider upgrading to the latest supported WordPress version when possible.

Bug Fixes

This release doesn't explicitly address specific bugs, but the jQuery.query library update may resolve underlying issues in the library itself. The update from version 2.1.7 to 2.2.3 likely includes various bug fixes implemented by the jQuery.query maintainers.

New Features

No new features were introduced in this maintenance release. WordPress 3.9.36 focuses solely on updating the jQuery.query library to version 2.2.3.

Security Updates

While not explicitly stated in the commit messages, updating jQuery.query to version 2.2.3 likely addresses security vulnerabilities present in the older 2.1.7 version. Library updates of this nature are often implemented to patch security issues and maintain the overall security posture of WordPress.

Performance Improvements

No specific performance improvements are documented in this release. The focus was on updating the jQuery.query library for security and compatibility reasons rather than performance enhancements.

Impact Summary

WordPress 3.9.36 is a targeted maintenance release that updates the jQuery.query library from version 2.1.7 to 2.2.3. This update ensures continued compatibility and security for sites running WordPress 3.9.x.

The impact of this release is minimal and focused on maintaining the security posture of WordPress installations. No new features, UI changes, or breaking changes are included in this release. The update is transparent to end users and requires no additional configuration after updating.

For developers with custom code that relies on jQuery.query functionality, the library update should be backward compatible, but testing is recommended to ensure all custom implementations continue to function as expected.