Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2019-25224 is a critical flaw in the WP Database Backup WordPress plugin before version 5.2. An unauthenticated internet attacker could make the server run operating-system commands. For an affected site, this can mean full website takeover, data theft, malware placement, or service disruption.
Executive priority
Treat this as urgent for any WordPress estate using the plugin. Unauthenticated command execution can quickly become full host compromise, especially where WordPress runs with broad filesystem or database privileges.
Technical view
The vulnerability is OS command injection in the plugin's mysqldump handling, mapped to CWE-78. The CVSS 3.1 score is 9.8 because exploitation is network-accessible, low complexity, needs no privileges, and can fully affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on WordPress sites running WP Database Backup before 5.2. Public metadata in the bundle has incomplete affected-version detail, but the CVE description and vendor/security writeups identify versions before 5.2 as vulnerable.
Exploitation context
The bundle includes Packet Storm and Metasploit references, so public exploit material exists. The CVE is not marked KEV in the supplied data, and the bundle does not prove active exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
Focus validation on plugin presence, version, and exposure of vulnerable backup functionality. Avoid assuming active exploitation from public exploit availability alone. The supplied affected-product metadata is sparse, so corroborate asset findings with installed plugin package data and vendor records.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade WP Database Backup to version 5.2 or later.
- Disable or remove the plugin if immediate upgrade is unavailable.
- Restrict administrative access and monitor backup-related plugin activity.
- Check vendor and WordPress plugin guidance for current supported versions.
Validation and detection
- Inventory all WordPress sites for the WP Database Backup plugin.
- Confirm installed plugin versions are 5.2 or later.
- Review web and server logs for unusual plugin requests or process activity.
- Check file integrity and WordPress administrator accounts after suspected exposure.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-78: Command execution behavior lookup
Command injection weaknesses can lead defenders to review execution techniques and command interpreter telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupDatabase behavior lookup
The CVE wording references database injection or access, so collection and exfiltration review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2019-25224 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/d21cf285-9d75-43a2-9e81-67116f0bf896?source=cveCVE reference
- https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2019/05/os-command-injection-vulnerability-patched-in-wp-database-backup-plugin/CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/2078035/wp-database-backupCVE reference
- https://blog.sucuri.net/2019/06/os-command-injection-in-wp-database-backup.htmlCVE reference
- https://packetstormsecurity.com/files/153781/CVE reference
- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/master/modules/exploits/multi/http/wp_db_backup_rce.rbCVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.