# CVE-2021-24155: Backup Guard < 1.6.0 - Authenticated Arbitrary File Upload

> Administrators can upload arbitrary PHP files via the import feature, leading to remote code execution on the WordPress site.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 5 Apr 2021
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-h635-5m37-x3p5

## What is CVE-2021-24155?

CVE-2021-24155 is a high-severity vulnerability in Unknown WordPress Backup and Migrate Plugin – Backup Guard, published on 5 Apr 2021. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The WordPress Backup and Migrate Plugin – Backup Guard WordPress plugin before 1.6.0 did not ensure that the imported files are of the SGBP format and extension, allowing high privilege users (admin+) to upload arbitrary files, including PHP ones, leading to RCE.

Weakness: CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-24155?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Backup-Guard Backup Guard.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-24155?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-24155 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-24155 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-24155 exists.

Public exploit code:

- WordPress Backup Guard Authenticated Remote Code Execution Exploit (github_poc): https://github.com/0dayNinja/CVE-2021-24155.rb
- Wordpress Plugin Backup Guard - Authenticated Remote Code Execution (metasploit)
- Wordpress Plugin Backup Guard 1.5.8 - Remote Code Execution (Authenticated) (exploitdb)
- WordPress BackupGuard <1.6.0 - Authenticated Arbitrary File Upload (nuclei): http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-24155.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in Unknown WordPress Backup and Migrate Plugin – Backup Guard

- [CVE-2017-18488](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-18488/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (medium 6.1)
- [CVE-2017-10837](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-10837/): Cross-site scripting in BackupGuard (medium 6.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-24155 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-24155 is a high-severity vulnerability in Unknown WordPress Backup and Migrate Plugin – Backup Guard, published on 5 Apr 2021. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-24155 exists.

Affected product: Unknown WordPress Backup and Migrate Plugin – Backup Guard. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24155/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24155/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-24155
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-24155
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-24155

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24155/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.