CVE-2019-25224Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated command execution via unsanitized excluded tables

Published Jul 25, 2025 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

OS command injection in WP Database Backup before 5.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands through backup settings. The mysqldump function appends stored wp_db_exclude_table values directly to --ignore-table arguments and passes the assembled command to shell_exec without sanitization. An unauthenticated request to an admin-facing endpoint can store the payload; it runs with the web server account whenever a manual or scheduled backup executes.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability21.41%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in WP Database Backup before 5.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands through backup settings. The mysqldump function appends stored wp_db_exclude_table values directly to --ignore-table arguments and passes the assembled command to shell_exec without sanitization. An unauthenticated request to an admin-facing endpoint can store the payload; it runs with the web server account whenever a manual or scheduled backup executes.

The record

CVE
CVE-2019-25224
Published
Jul 25, 2025
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Backup For WP
Product
WP Database Backup
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 25, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 8, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <5.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Backup For WP · WP Database Backupversion=0 <5.2

Published CVSS scores

9.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
10.0Rapid7AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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