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CVE Record

CVE-2022-31474: WordPress BackupBuddy Plugin 8.5.8.0-8.7.4.1 is vulnerable to Directory Traversal

Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in iThemes BackupBuddy allows Path Traversal.This issue affects BackupBuddy: from 8.5.8.0 through 8.7.4.1.

HighCVSS 7.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This vulnerability affects the WordPress BackupBuddy plugin versions 8.5.8.0 through 8.7.4.1. An unauthenticated attacker may be able to read files outside intended plugin directories, creating a confidentiality risk for WordPress sites that still run affected versions.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority confidentiality issue for WordPress assets. It does not require authentication or user interaction, and file disclosure from backup tooling can expose sensitive site data.

Technical view

CVE-2022-31474 is a CWE-22 path traversal flaw in iThemes BackupBuddy. The CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N, reflecting remote, unauthenticated, low-complexity file disclosure with high confidentiality impact and no stated integrity or availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on public WordPress sites with BackupBuddy installed in versions 8.5.8.0 through 8.7.4.1. The provided data does not identify other affected products or platforms.

Exploitation context

The source bundle describes unauthenticated path traversal and arbitrary file download risk. CISA KEV status is false in the provided data, and no supplied source text confirms active exploitation.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports path traversal in BackupBuddy, affecting 8.5.8.0 through 8.7.4.1. The bundle does not include exploit details, proof of active exploitation, or a named fixed version, so remediation should be tied to current vendor guidance.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory WordPress sites for BackupBuddy and record installed versions.
  • Check iThemes vendor guidance for the fixed version and upgrade accordingly.
  • Disable or remove BackupBuddy where a fixed version cannot be confirmed.
  • Review web server and WordPress logs for unusual file download activity.
  • Prioritize sites storing backups, credentials, or sensitive configuration files.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether BackupBuddy is installed on each WordPress site.
  • Compare installed versions against 8.5.8.0 through 8.7.4.1.
  • Verify the site is running a vendor-supported fixed release.
  • Check whether public internet access reaches affected WordPress instances.
  • Document compensating controls if upgrade is delayed.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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 · medium confidence lookup

CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup

File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection 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.

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description · low confidence lookup

File access behavior lookup

The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-31474 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Official CVE source material

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
3Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.5CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N3.93.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.5High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-31474Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
iThemesBackupBuddy8.5.8.0unaffected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-22

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.