CVE-2023-6989
CriticalPublic exploitShield Security – Smart Bot Blocking & Intrusion Prevention Security <= 18.5.9 - Unauthenticated Local File Inclusion
Published Feb 8, 2024 · Updated Apr 8, 2026 · Also known as 063826cc-7ff3-4869-9831-f6a4a4bbe74c
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-6989 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 9.8 v3.1) affecting Shield Security (Getshieldsecurity), wp-simple-firewall (wordpress-plugin), Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users, and Prevents Security Breaches.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. Public exploit code is available.
- EPSS estimates a 57% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Shield Security 18.5.10, wp-simple-firewall 18.5.10.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
9.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
57%
Higher than 99.0% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
Available
Proof-of-concept or weaponized module
Get the full CVE-2023-6989 brief as a PDF
Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.
Description
The Shield Security – Smart Bot Blocking & Intrusion Prevention Security plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 18.5.9 via the render_action_template parameter. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attacker to include and execute PHP files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files.
Affected Products
3 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Shield SecurityGetshieldsecurity | See advisory | 18.5.10 |
| wp-simple-firewallwordpress-plugin | See advisory | 18.5.10 |
| Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users, and Prevents Security Breaches | See advisory | n/a |
Patched Releases
Shield Security
18.5.10
wp-simple-firewall
18.5.10
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Feb 8, 2024
Last updated
Apr 8, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-22 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
- CWE-98 Improper Control of Filename for Include/Require Statement in PHP Program ('PHP Remote File Inclusion')
References
- advisoryhttps://advisory.abay.sh/cve-2023-7225/
- advisoryhttps://codecanyon.net/item/userpro-user-profiles-with-social-login/5958681
- advisoryhttps://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-1207
- advisoryhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/contact-form-entries/trunk/includes/plugin-pages.php?rev=3003884#L1213
- advisoryhttps://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&new=3023266%40mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress%2Ftrunk&old=3022439%40mappress-google-maps-for-wordpress%2Ftrunk&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
FAQ
Common Questions.
The Shield Security – Smart Bot Blocking & Intrusion Prevention Security plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 18.5.9 via the render_action_template parameter.
Affected: Shield Security (Getshieldsecurity); wp-simple-firewall (wordpress-plugin); Shield: Blocks Bots, Protects Users, and Prevents Security Breaches. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Public exploit code is available.
Fixed versions are available, including Shield Security 18.5.10, wp-simple-firewall 18.5.10.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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