CVE-2025-53246
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing authorization vulnerability in the WordPress Backup and Move plugin that allows attackers to bypass access controls. Attackers can exploit incorrectly configured security levels to perform unauthorized actions. All WordPress sites running Backup and Move plugin version 0.1 or earlier are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- WordPress Backup and Move plugin
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete compromise of WordPress site including data theft, malware injection, site defacement, and potential server takeover if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
Unauthorized access to backup functionality leading to data exfiltration, backup manipulation, or privilege escalation within WordPress.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper network segmentation and additional authentication layers preventing exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Broken access control vulnerabilities are commonly exploited and require minimal technical skill.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: > 0.1
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Log into WordPress admin panel
2. Navigate to Plugins → Installed Plugins
3. Find 'Backup and Move' plugin
4. Click 'Update Now' if update available
5. If no update available, deactivate and delete plugin immediately
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vulnerable plugin
allDeactivate the Backup and Move plugin to prevent exploitation
wp plugin deactivate backup-and-move
Implement web application firewall rules
allBlock access to vulnerable plugin endpoints
# Add to .htaccess for Apache:
<FilesMatch "backup-and-move">
Order Allow,Deny
Deny from all
</FilesMatch>
# Add to nginx config:
location ~* /wp-content/plugins/backup-and-move/ {
deny all;
}
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Remove the Backup and Move plugin completely from the WordPress installation
- Implement strict network access controls to limit who can access the WordPress admin interface
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check WordPress admin panel → Plugins → Installed Plugins for 'Backup and Move' version 0.1 or earlierCheck Version:
wp plugin get backup-and-move --field=versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify plugin is either updated to version >0.1 or completely removed from plugins directory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unauthorized access attempts to /wp-content/plugins/backup-and-move/ endpoints
- Multiple failed authentication attempts followed by successful backup operations
- Unusual backup creation or download events from non-admin users
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests to backup-and-move plugin endpoints from unauthorized IPs
- Unusual traffic patterns to backup functionality
SIEM Query:
source="wordpress.log" AND ("backup-and-move" OR "backup_and_move") AND (status=200 OR status=302) AND NOT user="admin"