WordPress 6.2.2 was launched on May 20th, 2023 – but what does the latest update contain, and what has it taken away?
Ultimately, WordPress 6.2.2 was designed to fix a problem with shortcodes caused by 6.2.1; if your site was affected by the previous update, you’ll definitely want to install 6.2.2 as soon as possible!
WordPress updates are important for many reasons, mostly relating to security enhancements; updates usually fix small bugs and vulnerabilities, so it’s worth keeping up to date.
6.2.2 isn’t a massive update, but it is an important one.
What’s New With WordPress 6.2.2?
The main new feature of WordPress 6.2.2 is the security enhancements.
A bug in a previous update blocked themes from parsing shortcodes in user-generated data. This bug, noticed in WordPress 6.2.1, impacted block templates using shortcodes, which led to some issues for users.
In fact, some users were so wary of updates following 6.2.1 that they turned off automatic updates for WordPress or just reinstalled the previous version (6.2). This is understandable, but it’s super important to keep updating your WordPress regularly (but more on that later).
It also led some users to use temporary, possibly unsafe, fixes to make their templates work again, which is far from ideal.
This latest WordPress version also enhanced security, which is why it’s so important to install it as soon as possible.
What’s Gone in WordPress 6.2.2?
Besides the block template issue, everything else remains the same in WordPress 6.2.2.
Everything introduced in 6.2.1 (primarily a security update) remains the same. 6.2.1 included the following (taken from the official update announcement):
- Block themes parsing shortcodes in user-generated data
- Fixed a CSRF issue updating attachment thumbnails
- Fixed a flaw allowing XSS via open embed auto-discovery
- Fixed bypassing of KSES sanitization in block attributes for low-privileged users
- Fixed a path traversal issue via translation files
It was, of course, the first bullet point that caused all the chaos and it has been fixed. The rest of the bullet point fixes remain in WordPress 6.2.2.
WordPress 6.2.2 Plugin and Theme Compatibility
Not all users had issues with WordPress 6.2.1; it depends on the themes and plugins installed. WordPress 6.2.2 hasn’t caused the same issues caused by 6.2.1, which is a relief.
It’s important to take regular backups of your WordPress sites, especially if you have decided to apply WordPress updates automatically. That way, if an update does cause issues with plugin compatibility or theme compatibility (as so many unfortunate users experienced with 6.2.1), you’ll be reassured that a recent version of your site is safely stored elsewhere.
We’d recommend using a plugin for this; go for something like Duplicator, which runs secure backups on a schedule of your choice, can run a migration for you if you need to move to a new hosting provider, and has a 1-click restore feature making is super easy to get your site back up and running again.
As a general rule, keeping on top of your plugin and theme updates is also a good idea. Plugins and themes can sometimes run across small issues after a WordPress update, and developers will create fixes for them in the form of updates.
You can access updates for your essential plugins by going to the Dashboard > Plugins > Installed Plugins, where you will be notified if a plugin has a recent update.
The same goes for WordPress themes; you can check on the Dashboard under Updates. Alternatively, you can go for a plugin like Health Check and & Troubleshooting, which performs regular ‘health checks’ on your WordPress site to ensure that everything is running smoothly.
Even without taking WordPress updates into consideration, from a security perspective, it’s always a good idea to regularly update your themes and plugins. It helps to protect your site against attacks, as hackers can find small entry points in old, outdated plugins and themes.
In fact, according to WordPress, 6% of vulnerabilities on WordPress are caused by out-of-date themes. That can lead to issues like leaking personal details, installing malware on your site, and flooding your site with unwanted traffic, causing it to slow down or even creating downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
That’s about it in terms of WordPress 6.2.2. Before you go, here are some frequently asked questions you might be interested in:
1. Why should I update my WordPress?
You should update your WordPress for a bunch of reasons. Users sometimes spot small bugs or vulnerabilities and report these to WordPress; they will often release an update in response with a bunch of fixes to these problems.
It’s also important to update your WordPress for performance optimization reasons. If you want your site to run smoothly, it’s best to keep up to date with the latest versions of WordPress. Updates can also help speed up your site, too.
Plus, the same rule applies with WordPress when it comes to updates and security: the more outdated your version of WordPress, the more likely it is that hackers will be able to find a way in.
2. When should I run an update?
As much as version 6.2.1 caused problems, this typically doesn’t happen to so many users at once! It’s best to update your WordPress as soon as possible for security reasons.
3. How can I tell when an update comes out?
To check for a WordPress security update, go to Dashboard > Updates. Then you’ll see when your site last checked for updates. If there are any updates ready to go, you’ll see them there.
WordPress will automatically install small security upgrades unless you’d rather do it manually. You can use a plugin like Easy Updates Manager, which allows you to take control of all updates relating to your WordPress site.
4. What do I need to know before installing a WordPress update?
The main thing to remember is to back up your site. You should ensure that everything is backed up, including:
- Images and other media
- Plugins and themes
- Your WordPress database
- Configuration files
- Core WordPress files
If you have automatic updates switched on, of course, that makes timing backups slightly more difficult. But you can use an automatic backup plugin like Duplicator, which will take care of the backups for you.
After an update, it’s a good idea to check through your site and ensure that everything is working from a user perspective, too.
To Sum Up – Key Takeaways
So now you’ve had the full lowdown on WordPress 6.2.2. It’s a small update but a pretty vital one.
Just to sum up, here’s a recap of what we’ve learned about the latest update:
- 6.2.2 was mainly designed to fix an issue with block templates, originally caused by the update 6.2.1
- Everything else in 6.2.1 remains the same in 6.2.2
- WordPress 6.2.2 shouldn’t cause any issues when it comes to plugin and theme compatibility
- It’s a good idea to keep your WordPress themes and plugins updated to protect your site from hackers and attacks
- Some plugins can help to keep on top of this, namely Duplicator, Health Check and & Troubleshooting, and Easy Updates Manager
While we’re on the subject of security, check out our review: Wordfence Security – The Ultimate WordPress Security Plugin to help up your game when it comes to protecting your site!
