The new WordPress 2.8.5 version was released on October 20, 2009 just to make your sites or blogs as secure as possible. There was really no urgency in upgrading to this new version but I thought of upgrading all the websites and blogs in preparation for WordPress 2.9 which will be released in either late November or early December.
As mentioned at the WordPress Blog, WordPress 2.8.5: Hardening Release, the headline changes in this release are:
- A fix for the Trackback Denial-of-Service attack that is currently being seen.
- Removal of areas within the code where php code in variables was evaluated.
- Switched the file upload functionality to be whitelisted for all users including Admins.
- Retiring of the two importers of Tag data from old plugins.
I finished upgrading all the blogs and sites listed below:
Sofie Estolloso Hofmann Designs International
Sofie Hofmann dot com
Weggis along Lake Lucerne Switzerland
Pandan Antique Philippines
Pro Blog it | ProBlogging Venture Tips and Ideas, Reviews and Opinions
ISYU.INFO Around the World
Patria Diesel Power Plant Issue
Semirara Dumpsite Issue
Tugbong Festival
PAGTATAP Foundation
Philippine Seafarers Assistance Programme
Leocadio Alonsagay Dioso Memorial Public Library
I normally would upgrade all the WordPress Plugins first before upgrading to the latest WordPress release, in this case, to WordPress 2.8.5. In one of my web hosts, I was not able to upgrade the WordPress Stats Plugin automatically because it cannot locate ‘downloads.wordpress.org’ so I just upgraded it manually. I was afraid that I might not be able to use the WordPress Automatic Upgrade but when I did, it went fine.
I also checked the wp-config-sample.php and wp-cron.php files which I was telling you about in this blog entry, WordPress 2.8 to WordPress 2.8.4 wp-config-sample and wp-cron files, no closing tags. Up to now, the two files have no closing tags yet.
I still had a problem with the WordPress Image Gallery Code which I mentioned when I upgraded to WordPress 2.7.1, and again, when I upgraded to WordPress 2.8 Baker (Gallery Code Problem), WordPress 2.8.3 (Image Gallery Problem and Solution), WordPress 2.8.4, and in this new release, WordPress 2.8.5.
I found the solution for the WordPress Gallery Code problem anyway, so I just commented all the four necessary lines at post.php file which can be found under the wp-includes folder. I do not like to do it over and over again, but I have no choice. I might have to reorganize the images or photos one of these days.
I use the WordPress Automatic Upgrade feature in upgrading all the blogs and websites. Everything went fine except for the two problems that I mentioned that I have been having since WordPress 2.7.1. I have no other major problems regarding upgrading from WordPress 2.8.4 to WordPress 2.8.5. Thanks goodness!
By the way, every time I upgrade, I test all the sites in my local computer. I have PHP, phpMyAdmin, and WordPress installed in my local computer. I make sure that everything is fine before I upgrade.
One more thing, and it is a very important reminder!
Backup your WordPress database and files first before you upgrade.