CVE-2022-31474Known exploitationPublic exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated file disclosure via unvalidated download path

Published Mar 13, 2023 · Updated Apr 28, 2026

Path traversal in iThemes BackupBuddy 8.5.8.0 through 8.7.4.1 allows remote attackers to read server files without authentication. The backupbuddy_local_download() handler, invoked through admin_init, accepts an unvalidated local-download path without capability or nonce checks. Any unauthenticated request that reaches admin-post.php can retrieve files readable by WordPress, including configuration secrets.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability63.76%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in iThemes BackupBuddy 8.5.8.0 through 8.7.4.1 allows remote attackers to read server files without authentication. The backupbuddy_local_download() handler, invoked through admin_init, accepts an unvalidated local-download path without capability or nonce checks. Any unauthenticated request that reaches admin-post.php can retrieve files readable by WordPress, including configuration secrets.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-31474
Published
Mar 13, 2023
Updated
Apr 28, 2026
Vendor
iThemes
Product
BackupBuddy
Classifications
CWE-22, T1190, T1552.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 26, 2022Exploitation reportedWordfence blocked nearly five million exploitation attempts
  2. Mar 13, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  3. Apr 28, 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=8.5.8.0 <=8.7.4.1 changes=[{"at":"8.7.5.0","status":"unaffected"}]

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

iThemes · BackupBuddyversion=8.5.8.0 <=8.7.4.1 changes=[{"at":"8.7.5.0","status":"unaffected"}]

Published CVSS scores

7.5WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
7.5PatchstackCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationReported
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1552.001Credentials In Files

Public exploit references

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

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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