CVE-2023-6989Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated PHP code execution via template inclusion

Published Feb 5, 2024 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

Local file inclusion in Shield Security 18.5.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute PHP code through a crafted template parameter. The unauthenticated generic_render AJAX action uses render_action_template for PHP template loading without preventing traversal outside the template directory. A crafted request can therefore include an existing server-side PHP file and run its code with the WordPress process's access, without login or user interaction.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability56.57%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Local file inclusion in Shield Security 18.5.9 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute PHP code through a crafted template parameter. The unauthenticated generic_render AJAX action uses render_action_template for PHP template loading without preventing traversal outside the template directory. A crafted request can therefore include an existing server-side PHP file and run its code with the WordPress process's access, without login or user interaction.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-6989
Published
Feb 5, 2024
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Shield Security
Product
Shield Security
Classifications
CWE-22, CWE-98, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 5, 2024CVE 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 <=18.5.9

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Shield Security · Shield Securityversion=0 <=18.5.9

Published CVSS scores

9.8WordfenceCVSS: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.

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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')
CWE-98Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')
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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