📄 Description (English)
The Database Backup for WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized arbitrary file read and deletion in all versions up to, and including, 2.5.2. This is due to the plugin not properly enforcing the return value of its authorization check combined with a user-controlled backup directory parameter. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read and delete arbitrary files on the server, leading to Sensitive Information Exposure and potential site takeover. Note: This vulnerability is only exploitable in WordPress Multisite environments where the deprecated is_site_admin() function exists.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2026-4030 is a critical authorization bypass vulnerability in the Database Backup for WordPress plugin (versions ≤2.5.2) affecting WordPress Multisite installations. Unauthenticated attackers can read and delete arbitrary files on affected servers through improper authorization checks and user-controlled backup directory parameters. This vulnerability poses severe risks including sensitive data exposure and potential complete site compromise, particularly in Saudi organizations running WordPress-based platforms.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 20, 2026 03:24
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability poses significant risk to Saudi organizations utilizing WordPress Multisite environments, particularly: (1) Government agencies and municipalities using WordPress for public portals and citizen services; (2) Banking and financial institutions with WordPress-based customer portals or informational sites; (3) Healthcare providers (Ministry of Health, private hospitals) running patient information systems on WordPress; (4) Educational institutions (universities, schools) using WordPress for administrative and academic platforms; (5) E-commerce and retail businesses relying on WordPress Multisite for multi-brand operations. The vulnerability enables complete data exfiltration and site destruction without authentication, directly threatening SAMA-regulated financial data, NCA-classified government information, and patient privacy under HIPAA-equivalent Saudi healthcare regulations.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government and Public Administration
Banking and Financial Services
Healthcare and Medical Institutions
Education and Universities
E-commerce and Retail
Telecommunications
Energy and Utilities
Media and Publishing
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application
T1566 - Phishing (indirect - via compromised site)
T1005 - Data from Local System
T1041 - Exfiltration Over C2 Channel
T1485 - Data Destruction
T1087 - Account Discovery
T1083 - File and Directory Discovery
T1040 - Network Sniffing (potential)
T1021 - Remote Services (post-compromise)
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
8.7
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Identify all WordPress Multisite installations using Database Backup plugin versions ≤2.5.2 across your organization
2. Disable the Database Backup plugin immediately via WordPress admin panel or file system
3. Review server access logs (Apache/Nginx) for suspicious requests to backup-related endpoints (typically /wp-content/plugins/database-backup/)
4. Conduct forensic analysis for unauthorized file access patterns in the past 90 days
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Do NOT upgrade to version 2.5.3 or later until vendor releases patched version (currently no patch available)
2. Monitor plugin repository for security updates at wordpress.org/plugins/database-backup/
3. Subscribe to WordPress security mailing lists and CVE notifications
COMPENSATING CONTROLS (until patch available):
1. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules blocking requests to /wp-content/plugins/database-backup/ endpoints
2. Restrict WordPress admin access via IP whitelisting (SAMA offices, government networks)
3. Implement file integrity monitoring (FIM) on critical directories: /wp-content/, /wp-admin/, database configuration files
4. Enable WordPress security logging plugin to detect unauthorized backup operations
5. Implement strict file permissions: chmod 644 on wp-config.php, chmod 755 on wp-content/
6. Deploy ModSecurity rules to detect backup directory traversal attempts
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for HTTP requests containing: backup_dir=, backup_path=, ../ patterns to plugin directory
2. Alert on file deletion operations from web server process (www-data, apache user)
3. Track unauthorized access to wp-config.php, .htaccess, database files
4. Monitor for unusual outbound data transfers from web server
5. Log all plugin activation/deactivation events in WordPress audit logs
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. حدد جميع تثبيتات WordPress Multisite التي تستخدم إضافة Database Backup بالإصدارات ≤2.5.2 عبر مؤسستك
2. عطّل إضافة Database Backup فوراً عبر لوحة تحكم WordPress أو نظام الملفات
3. راجع سجلات الوصول للخادم (Apache/Nginx) للبحث عن طلبات مريبة إلى نقاط نهاية النسخ الاحتياطي
4. أجرِ تحليلاً جنائياً لأنماط الوصول غير المصرح للملفات خلال آخر 90 يوماً
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. لا تقم بالترقية إلى الإصدار 2.5.3 أو أحدث حتى يصدر البائع نسخة مصححة
2. راقب مستودع الإضافات للتحديثات الأمنية
3. اشترك في قوائم البريد الأمنية لـ WordPress وإشعارات CVE
الضوابط البديلة (حتى توفر التصحيح):
1. طبّق قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحجب الطلبات إلى نقاط نهاية الإضافة
2. قيّد الوصول إلى مسؤول WordPress عبر القائمة البيضاء للعناوين (مكاتب SAMA، الشبكات الحكومية)
3. طبّق مراقبة سلامة الملفات (FIM) على الدلائل الحرجة
4. فعّل تسجيل أمان WordPress لكشف عمليات النسخ الاحتياطي غير المصرح
5. طبّق صلاحيات ملفات صارمة
6. نشّر قواعد ModSecurity للكشف عن محاولات اجتياز دليل النسخ الاحتياطي
قواعد الكشف:
1. راقب طلبات HTTP التي تحتوي على معاملات اجتياز الدليل
2. أصدر تنبيهات لعمليات حذف الملفات من عملية خادم الويب
3. تتبع الوصول غير المصرح إلى ملفات التكوين والقاعدة البيانات
4. راقب نقل البيانات الصادرة غير العادي من خادم الويب
5. سجّل جميع أحداث تفعيل/تعطيل الإضافات
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
ECC 2024 A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies and Procedures
ECC 2024 A.6.1.1 - Access Control and Authentication
ECC 2024 A.8.2.1 - Malware and Unauthorized Software Prevention
ECC 2024 A.12.2.1 - Change Management and Patch Management
ECC 2024 A.12.6.1 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
SAMA CSF ID.AM-2 - Software Inventory and Asset Management
SAMA CSF PR.AC-1 - Access Control and Authentication
SAMA CSF PR.PT-2 - Protective Technology and Patch Management
SAMA CSF DE.CM-1 - Detection and Monitoring
SAMA CSF RS.MI-2 - Incident Response and Mitigation
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
ISO 27001:2022 A.5.15 - Access Control
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.1 - Information Security Policies
ISO 27001:2022 A.8.2 - Information Security Incident Management
ISO 27001:2022 A.14.2 - Software Development and Change Management
ISO 27001:2022 A.12.6 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
PCI DSS 6.2 - Security Patches and Updates
PCI DSS 7.1 - Access Control and Least Privilege
PCI DSS 10.2 - Logging and Monitoring
PCI DSS 11.2 - Vulnerability Scanning and Assessment
🔗 References & Sources 6
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https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-db-backup/tags/2.5.2/wp-db-backup.php#L1623
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-db-backup/trunk/wp-db-backup.php#L121
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-db-backup/trunk/wp-db-backup.php#L157
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-db-backup/trunk/wp-db-backup.php#L1632
security@wordfence.com
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3510595/
security@wordfence.com
https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/3e21b550-e1c5-4e23-9999-16c83...
security@wordfence.com