CVE-2023-6972Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary file deletion via traversal headers

Published Dec 23, 2023 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Path traversal in Backup Migration 1.3.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary server files via crafted HTTP headers. The backup-heart.php and bypasser.php request paths use attacker-controlled Content-Backups and related header values in filesystem operations without confining resolved paths to backup storage. Network access to the WordPress endpoint is sufficient; deleting wp-config.php interrupts the site and enables takeover or code execution through reconfiguration.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.38%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Path traversal in Backup Migration 1.3.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to delete arbitrary server files via crafted HTTP headers. The backup-heart.php and bypasser.php request paths use attacker-controlled Content-Backups and related header values in filesystem operations without confining resolved paths to backup storage. Network access to the WordPress endpoint is sufficient; deleting wp-config.php interrupts the site and enables takeover or code execution through reconfiguration.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-6972
Published
Dec 23, 2023
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Copy Delete Posts
Product
Backup Migration
Classifications
CWE-22, T1485, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 23, 2023CVE 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 <=1.3.9

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Copy Delete Posts · Backup Migrationversion=0 <=1.3.9

Published CVSS scores

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

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-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1485Data Destruction
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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