CVE-2023-6971
Backupbliss Backup Migration 1.0.8 – 1.4.0
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HCVSS and EPSS are reproduced from their sources (NVD, FIRST EPSS). Risk Priority is our own derived reading, not an NVD score.
Summary
CVE-2023-6971 is a high-severity Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere (CWE-829) vulnerability in Backupbliss Backup Migration. Its CVSS base score is 8.1 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Software Extensions (T1176); ranked in the top 6% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
The Backup Migration plugin for WordPress is affected by a remote file inclusion vulnerability in versions 1.0.8 through 1.3.9. The flaw resides in the backup-heart.php component and is triggered when an attacker supplies a remote path via the content-dir HTTP header, allowing inclusion of external files that result in code execution. Exploitation requires the target server's php.ini to have allow_url_include set to on, a setting that is disabled by default in PHP 7.4 and later.
Unauthenticated remote attackers can exploit the issue over the network without user interaction. By crafting a request that references a malicious remote file, an attacker can achieve arbitrary code execution on the server, provided the non-default PHP configuration is present. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.1 reflects the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability under these conditions.
References to the WordPress plugin repository document a changeset that patches the vulnerable code path, and the associated security advisory recommends updating the Backup Migration plugin to a version beyond 1.3.9 to eliminate the inclusion vector.
The EPSS score has remained flat at 0.0906 with no material rise after disclosure.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2023-59167
Vulnerability Data
The Backup Migration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote File Inclusion in versions 1.0.8 to 1.3.9 via the 'content-dir' HTTP header. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to include remote files on the server, resulting in code execution.…
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NOTE: Successful exploitation of this vulnerability requires that the target server's php.ini is configured with 'allow_url_include' set to 'on'. This feature is deprecated as of PHP 7.4 and is disabled by default, but can still be explicitly enabled in later versions of PHP.
- CWE(s)
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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- 6 hardening rules · 6 OS baselines
V14.2.3V3.5.6V9.1.3V15.3.2
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Limiting P2P file sharing technology reduces inclusion of functionality or resources from untrusted external control spheres.
Enforcing installation policies prevents users from including functionality obtained from untrusted control spheres.
The inventory process requires identifying and recording the origin of all components, making inclusion of functionality from untrusted control spheres easier to detect during reviews.
Requiring approval and monitoring of maintenance tools prevents inclusion and execution of functionality obtained from untrusted sources.
Unowned portable devices represent untrusted control spheres; the prohibition prevents inclusion of functionality or data from such sources.
Strategy mandates assessment of third-party components and suppliers, directly reducing inclusion of functionality from untrusted control spheres.
Procedures can mandate supply-chain vetting and restrictions on functionality obtained from untrusted third-party or external control spheres.
Requires use of trusted sources and provenance tracking, tangibly limiting inclusion of functionality from untrusted control spheres.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Supply-chain program directly governs inclusion of third-party executable code.
Contractual requirements can mandate trusted sources and integrity checks for included functionality.
Supplier risk assessment explicitly covers risks from their products and libraries.
Software inventory enables tracking of externally sourced components but does not itself enforce trust.
Pre-acquisition integrity/authenticity checks directly prevent inclusion of untrusted code.
Critical-supplier assessment reduces risk of importing executable functionality from untrusted parties.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
A.5.21's requirements to define/propagate security needs, obtain component origin/trust assurances, validate delivered products (incl. via testing), ensure genuine/unaltered components, and manage lifecycle directly stop most untrusted inclusion by shrinking the untrusted sphere before integration; bounded remainder exists for custom or insider-introduced functionality the clause does not reach.
Hardening callouts derived
Configuration rules from DISA STIG baselines that bear on weaknesses of the type cited by this CVE. Each rule is shown with the relationship its mapping actually records, against the CWE it was authored against. Derived via CVE→CWE over `controls_xwalks` (higher-evidence rows only; rows rated `none` are excluded).
Oracle Linux 8 (1 rule)
- V-248635 Executable search paths within the initialization files of all local interactive OL 8 users must only contain paths that resolve to the system default or the user's home directory. blocks CWE-829
Oracle Linux 9 (1 rule)
- V-271847 OL 9 must be configured so that executable search paths within the initialization files of all local interactive users must only contain paths that resolve to the system default or the users home directory. blocks CWE-829
RHEL 7 (1 rule)
- V-204477 The Red Hat Enterprise Linux operating system must be configured so that all local interactive user initialization files executable search paths contain only paths that resolve to the users home directory. blocks CWE-829
RHEL 8 (1 rule)
- V-230317 Executable search paths within the initialization files of all local interactive RHEL 8 users must only contain paths that resolve to the system default or the users home directory. blocks CWE-829
RHEL 9 (1 rule)
- V-258050 Executable search paths within the initialization files of all local interactive RHEL 9 users must only contain paths that resolve to the system default or the users home directory. blocks CWE-829
Windows 10 (1 rule)
- V-220737 Administrative accounts must not be used with applications that access the Internet, such as web browsers, or with potential Internet sources, such as email. blocks CWE-829