# CVE-2023-6266: Backup Migration - Arbitrary File Read

> Live exploitation tracking for CVE-2023-6266 by the CrowdSec Live Exploit Tracker, built from real-world attack data crowdsourced from CrowdSec's global network.

Page: https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2023-6266

## Key facts

- **Exploitation phase:** Limited Exploitation. The vulnerability is known but shows very limited attacker interest or exploitation activity.
- **CVSS score:** 7.5
- **Public exploit available:** Yes
- **Affected products:** Migrate Backup Migration
- **Weaknesses:** CWE-552 (Files or Directories Accessible to External Parties)
- **Tags:** wordpress

## Description

The Backup Migration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized access of data due to insufficient path and file validation on the BMI_BACKUP case of the handle_downloading function in all versions up to, and including, 1.3.6. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to download back-up files which can contain sensitive information such as user passwords, PII,  database credentials, and much more.

## CrowdSec analysis

[CVE-2023-6266](https://euvd.enisa.europa.eu/vulnerability/CVE-2023-6266) is a vulnerability in the Backup Migration plugin for WordPress that allows unauthenticated attackers to download backup files due to insufficient path and file validation. Exploiting this flaw could expose sensitive data such as user passwords, personally identifiable information (PII), and database credentials, potentially leading to further compromise of the affected WordPress site.

CrowdSec has been tracking this vulnerability and its exploits since 7th of January 2026.

Insights from the CrowdSec network reveal that the attackers trying to exploit CVE-2023-6266 are composed of a fairly even mix of opportunistic and targeted actors. Some attackers employ preliminary reconnaissance, while others use indiscriminate scanning.
CrowdSec data also reveals a clear uptick in attacks involving CVE-2023-6266 over the past week. Activity is above the usual baseline, suggesting growing attention from attackers. This may reflect rising awareness, recent exploit releases, or expanded targeting efforts.

Attackers exploit this vulnerability by sending requests with the `backup-migration=BMI_BACKUP` and a path traversal payload in the `backup-id` parameter, typically targeting URLs like `/?backup-migration=BMI_BACKUP&backup-id=../`. This allows unauthenticated users to download sensitive backup files from vulnerable WordPress sites.

## Timeline

- 2024-01-11: CVE Published. CVE-2023-6266 is published to NVD.
- 2026-01-07: Rule Released. CrowdSec releases a rule to detect CVE-2023-6266 exploitation attempts against the CrowdSec Network.
- 2026-01-14: CrowdSec First Seen. CrowdSec observes in-the-wild exploitation of CVE-2023-6266 for the first time.

## References

- https://github.com/projectdiscovery/nuclei-templates/blob/main/http/cves/2023/CVE-2023-6266.yaml

## Live exploitation data

The [Live Exploit Tracker page](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/cves/CVE-2023-6266) follows observed exploitation activity for CVE-2023-6266. [Request an API key](https://tracker.crowdsec.net/request-api-key) for full access to its exploitation timeline, attacking IP addresses and blocklists.