CVE-2017-15914: Borgbackup Incorrect Access Control Implementation

borgbackup Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

08/02/2018
Yes i
High
8.8

CVE-2017-15914: Incorrect implementation of access controls allows remote users to override repository restrictions in Borg servers 1.1.x before 1.1.3. Affects borgbackup versions >= 1.1.0b1, < 1.1.3. Fixed in 1.1.3. How to fix ↓

Also tracked for

The same CVE-2017-15914 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.

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Background

Borgbackup is an open-source backup software that allows users to create and manage backups of their files. It is available on the Python Package Index (PyPI) and is commonly used for data protection and disaster recovery purposes. However, versions 1.1.x before 1.1.3 of Borgbackup suffer from an incorrect implementation of access controls, which can be exploited by remote users to override repository restrictions.

Vulnerability Detail

The vulnerability (CVE-2017-15914) in Borgbackup arises from the incorrect implementation of access controls in versions 1.1.x before 1.1.3. This flaw enables remote users to bypass repository restrictions, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, or other malicious activities. The vulnerability was first published on February 8, 2018, and has been assigned the identifier PYSEC-2018-105. It is crucial to note that this vulnerability has been fixed in version 1.1.3 of Borgbackup.

How To Fix

Latest published version: 1.4.5 as of 23 Oct 2026

pip install --upgrade "borgbackup==1.4.5"

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you need the minimum change

1.1.3

This is the first release that contains the fix.

pip install --upgrade "borgbackup==1.1.3"

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

Workaround

As this vulnerability has been fixed in version 1.1.3 of Borgbackup, there is no specific workaround available. It is strongly advised to update to the latest version to ensure the security of the software.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the vulnerability (CVE-2017-15914) in Borgbackup's access control implementation can be exploited by remote users to bypass repository restrictions. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to update Borgbackup to version 1.1.3 or later. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.

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FAQ

Borgbackup is an open-source backup software that allows users to create and manage backups of their files. It provides deduplication, compression, encryption, and other features for efficient and secure data backup.

The vulnerability in Borgbackup allows remote users to override repository restrictions, potentially leading to unauthorized access, data leakage, or other malicious activities.

You can use the Vulert playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your version of Borgbackup is affected by this vulnerability. Simply enter your Pipfile.lock and it will provide real-time alerts for open-source vulnerabilities, including this one.

Yes, the vulnerability has been fixed in version 1.1.3 of Borgbackup. It is recommended to update to this version or later to ensure the security of the software.

You can find more information about this vulnerability in the official advisory database for PyPI at the following source: https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/blob/main/vulns/borgbackup/PYSEC-2018-105.yaml

Related vulnerabilities

Recent vulnerabilities recorded for borgbackup.

How To Fix

Latest published version: 1.4.5 as of 23 Oct 2026

pip install --upgrade "borgbackup==1.4.5"

Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.

If you need the minimum change

1.1.3

This is the first release that contains the fix.

pip install --upgrade "borgbackup==1.1.3"

Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →

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