WordPress Release: 4.4.27

TL;DR

WordPress 4.4.27 Update

This maintenance release updates the jQuery.query library from version 2.1.7 to 2.2.3. This is a security-focused update that addresses potential vulnerabilities in the external library, ensuring WordPress installations remain secure against potential exploits. While this is a minor update, it's important for maintaining the security posture of WordPress 4.4 sites still in operation.

Highlight of the Release

• Updated jQuery.query library from version 2.1.7 to 2.2.3
• Security-focused maintenance release
• Backward compatible update with no breaking changes

Migration Guide

No migration steps are required for this update. The jQuery.query library update is backward compatible and should not affect existing functionality. Standard WordPress update procedures apply:

1. Back up your WordPress site before updating
2. Update through the WordPress admin dashboard or via your preferred method
3. Test your site functionality after the update

No code changes should be necessary for themes or plugins as a result of this update.

Upgrade Recommendations

This update is recommended for all WordPress 4.4 users as it addresses potential security vulnerabilities in an external library.

However, it's important to note that WordPress 4.4 is an older branch that reached end-of-life status some time ago. While this security update helps protect sites still running on 4.4, the strongest recommendation is to upgrade to the latest WordPress version for comprehensive security and feature improvements.

For sites that cannot upgrade to newer WordPress versions due to compatibility constraints, applying this update is essential to maintain the best possible security posture within the 4.4 branch.

Bug Fixes

This release doesn't explicitly address any WordPress core bugs. The update to jQuery.query 2.2.3 may include bug fixes within that library, but no specific WordPress bugs were mentioned in the release notes.

New Features

No new features were introduced in this maintenance release. WordPress 4.4.27 focuses solely on updating the jQuery.query external library to improve security.

Security Updates

WordPress 4.4.27 updates the jQuery.query library from version 2.1.7 to 2.2.3. While specific security vulnerabilities aren't detailed in the commit messages, library updates of this nature typically address security concerns such as potential XSS vulnerabilities, injection attacks, or other security issues identified in older versions of the library.

Performance Improvements

No specific performance improvements were mentioned in this release. The focus was on updating the jQuery.query library for security purposes rather than performance enhancements.

Impact Summary

WordPress 4.4.27 is a targeted security maintenance release that updates the jQuery.query library from version 2.1.7 to 2.2.3. This update addresses potential security vulnerabilities in the external library without introducing any functional changes to WordPress itself.

The impact is minimal from a user and developer perspective, with no visible changes to the WordPress interface or functionality. The update is backward compatible and requires no code modifications for themes or plugins.

While this is a minor update in terms of scope, it's important for maintaining security on WordPress 4.4 sites. However, users should be aware that WordPress 4.4 is an older branch, and upgrading to the latest WordPress version would provide more comprehensive security protection and feature improvements.