WordPress Release: 4.5.13

TL;DR

WordPress 4.5.13 brings important bug fixes and cleanup

This maintenance release addresses two specific issues: a file deletion problem during upgrades and removes unnecessary MediaElement.js files. The update improves the reliability of WordPress upgrades by ensuring files can be properly replaced even when direct deletion fails. This release is recommended for all WordPress 4.5.x installations to maintain stability and security.

Highlight of the Release

• Improved file handling during WordPress upgrades
• Removal of unnecessary MediaElement.js files for better performance
• Enhanced reliability when replacing files during updates

Migration Guide

No migration steps are required for this maintenance release. WordPress 4.5.13 is a direct update that can be applied through the standard WordPress update process.

For sites using custom implementations that might rely on the removed MediaElement.js files, developers should verify their code continues to function as expected after updating.

Upgrade Recommendations

This update is recommended for all WordPress 4.5.x installations. While WordPress 4.5 is no longer receiving active support, this maintenance release improves upgrade reliability and removes unnecessary files.

For optimal security and features, users should consider upgrading to the latest supported WordPress version rather than remaining on the 4.5.x branch.

How to Update:

1. Back up your website before updating
2. Update through the WordPress Dashboard or via manual update
3. Verify your site functionality after the update is complete

Bug Fixes

Upgrade Process Improvements

• Fixed an issue where WordPress upgrades could fail when attempting to delete old files due to permission issues (fixes #42963)
• Added fallback mechanism to empty files when deletion fails, allowing upgrades to proceed successfully
• This addresses situations where server configurations or file permissions prevent direct file deletion

MediaElement.js Cleanup

• Removed unnecessary and obsolete MediaElement.js files (fixes #42720)
• This cleanup helps reduce potential security risks from outdated files and improves overall performance

New Features

No new features were introduced in this maintenance release. WordPress 4.5.13 focuses exclusively on bug fixes and performance improvements to the existing 4.5.x branch.

Security Updates

No specific security fixes were documented in this release. However, removing unnecessary and obsolete MediaElement.js files helps reduce the potential attack surface by eliminating code that is no longer needed or maintained.

Performance Improvements

File System Optimization

• Removed unnecessary MediaElement.js files, reducing the overall WordPress installation footprint
• Smaller footprint may result in slightly faster backups and reduced storage requirements
• Improved upgrade process efficiency by implementing smarter file handling when permissions prevent deletion

Impact Summary

WordPress 4.5.13 is a targeted maintenance release that improves the reliability of the WordPress upgrade process and removes unnecessary files. The most significant impact is for administrators who previously experienced issues with file deletions during upgrades, as the system now has a fallback mechanism to empty files when deletion fails.

The removal of unnecessary MediaElement.js files helps reduce the WordPress installation footprint and eliminates potential security risks from outdated files. While these changes are relatively minor, they contribute to a more stable and efficient WordPress installation.

This release demonstrates WordPress's commitment to maintaining even older branches with critical fixes, though users should note that the 4.5.x branch is no longer receiving active support and should consider upgrading to a current WordPress version for optimal security and features.