WordPress 6.2.2: A Rapid Follow-Up Release with Shortcode Support Restored
WordPress 6.2.2 was released early on May 13, 2019, as a rapid follow-up to version 6.2.1, which introduced a bug that broke shortcode support in block templates. While version 6.2.1 was an important security release, the catastrophic breakage for those using shortcodes in block templates led some users to implement insecure workarounds or simply downgrade to version 6.2 to keep critical functionality working on their websites.
WordPress contributors worked quickly over the weekend to ensure that users can now update to version 6.2.2 with their shortcodes intact. The release post identified the removal of shortcode support in the previous release as “a regression” and a bug. This is an important recognition, as shortcodes are still a tool that users frequently rely on to insert functionality from plugins that haven’t made it available as a block, as well as a necessity for things that won’t work without inline shortcodes.
Version 6.2.2 is also a security release, as core contributor Jonathan Desrosiers said that the issue patched in version 6.2.1 “needed further hardening” in this update.
Users are advised to update immediately, and automatic updates are rolling out. Many users reported having turned automatic background updates off for core after version 6.2.1 broke their websites. Users who did so will need to manually update as soon as possible.
Shortcodes: A Powerful Tool for WordPress Users
Shortcodes are a powerful tool for WordPress users that allow them to easily add complex functionality to their website without needing to know how to code. Shortcodes are essentially a shortcut that allows users to insert pre-written code into their content by typing a simple code into the WordPress editor.
For example, if a user wants to add a contact form to their website, they can simply install a plugin that provides a contact form shortcode. They can then insert the shortcode into their content by typing [contact-form] into the WordPress editor. When the page is viewed on the front-end, the shortcode is replaced with the pre-written code that generates the contact form.
Shortcodes are frequently used to add functionality from plugins that haven’t made it available as a block. For example, if a user wants to add a slider to their website, they can install a plugin that provides a slider shortcode. They can then insert the shortcode into their content by typing [slider] into the WordPress editor.
Shortcodes are also a necessity for things that won’t work without inline shortcodes. For example, if a user wants to add a video to their website, they can use a shortcode to embed the video player directly into their content.
Shortcodes have been a part of WordPress since version 2.5, and they remain a powerful tool for users to this day. However, as with any tool, there are potential pitfalls that users need to be aware of.
Potential Pitfalls of Shortcodes
One potential pitfall of shortcodes is that they can be used to execute malicious code on a website. If a user installs a plugin that includes a malicious shortcode, an attacker could use that shortcode to execute code on the user’s website.
To mitigate this risk, WordPress includes several security measures that prevent shortcodes from being executed in certain contexts. For example, shortcodes are not executed in comments by default, as this could be used to execute malicious code on a website.
Another potential pitfall of shortcodes is that they can break when plugins are updated or removed. If a user has inserted a shortcode into their content that relies on a plugin that is later updated or removed, the shortcode may no longer work as expected.
This was the case with version 6.2.1 of WordPress, which introduced a bug that broke shortcode support in block templates. While this bug was quickly fixed in version 6.2.2, it highlights the potential risks of relying too heavily on shortcodes.
Conclusion
Shortcodes are a powerful tool for WordPress users that allow them to easily add complex functionality to their website without needing to know how to code. However, as with any tool, there are potential pitfalls that users need to be aware of.
The recent release of WordPress 6.2.2 highlights the importance of keeping WordPress up-to-date and the potential risks of relying too heavily on shortcodes. Users are advised to update to version 6.2.2 immediately to ensure that their websites are secure and that shortcode support is restored.
