Backup Migration: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
CVE-2026-7693 is a high-severity improper neutralization of special elements used in a command vulnerability in Backup Migration from Inisev, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.2 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with administrator privileges, without any action from a user. Affected Backup Migration versions: 2.1.1 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 2.95% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 87% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Backup Migration you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inisev | Backup Migration | 2.1.1 and earlier | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- HighAdministrator-level access is required first.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (wordfence.com).
Official description
The Backup Migration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to OS Command Injection in all versions up to, and including, 2.1.5.1 due to insufficient sanitization of the `file` POST parameter on the `restoreBackup()` AJAX handler. The handler applies `esc_attr()` — an HTML-context sanitizer that does not strip shell metacharacters — and concatenates the result, unquoted, into a `php-cli -f … bmi_restore <file> <remote>` command passed to `exec()`. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access (or any user granted the plugin's `do_backups` capability) and above, to execute arbitrary OS commands as the web-server user, bypassing WordPress hardening constants such as `DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT` and `DISALLOW_FILE_MODS` that would otherwise prevent code execution from the admin UI. This is an incomplete fix of CVE-2023-7002, which patched the same pattern only in the `$_POST['url']` path of `handleQuickMigration()`; the equivalent mitigations (`rawurlencode()` + explicit shell-metachar replacement + double-quoting in `exec()`) were never applied to `$backupName`.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command
The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If at all possible, use library calls rather than external processes to recreate the desired functionality.
- If possible, ensure that all external commands called from the program are statically created.
- Run time: Run time policy enforcement may be used in an allowlist fashion to prevent use of any non-sanctioned commands.
More Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities (CWE-77)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/backup-backup/tags/2.1.5.1/includes/ajax.php#L3019
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/backup-backup/tags/2.1.5.1/includes/ajax.php#L3025
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/backup-backup/tags/2.1.5.1/includes/ajax.php#L3422
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/backup-backup/tags/2.1.5.1/includes/ajax.php#L3444
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/backup-backup/tags/2.1.5.1/includes/initializer.php#L136
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/backup-backup/trunk/includes/ajax.php#L3025
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?new=3540041%40backup-backup%2Ftags%2F2.1.5.2&old=3512153%40backup-backup…
- wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/af6a7052-6dab-42f0-a2af-0cf459d309d7?source=cve
Recent Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command vulnerabilities
- 7.2 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.4 High severity
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
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