Critical · published January 6, 2026
⚡ Unauthenticated users can trigger database backups in Craft! This could lead to serious data leaks or resource exhaustion. 🔥 Imagine a restaurant where anyone can sneak into the kitchen and order every dish on the menu without paying — that’s what’s happening here! It’s all too easy for attackers to overstuff the database with requests, leading to chaos and potential data exposure. If someone exploits this vulnerability, they could exhaust server resources, leading to downtime, or worse, gain access to sensitive information stored in backups. This could put your entire digital experience at risk, exposing private data that should remain secure.
Imagine a restaurant where anyone can sneak into the kitchen and order every dish on the menu without paying — that’s what’s happening here! It’s all too easy for attackers to overstuff the database with requests, leading to chaos and potential data exposure. Craft versions 5.0.0-RC1 to 5.8.20 and 3.0.0 to 4.16.16 allow unauthenticated users to trigger backup operations through specific admin actions, lacking necessary access controls. Without proper authentication checks, anyone can potentially exploit this flaw to access sensitive data.
If someone exploits this vulnerability, they could exhaust server resources, leading to downtime, or worse, gain access to sensitive information stored in backups. This could put your entire digital experience at risk, exposing private data that should remain secure. Update immediately to Craft version 5.8.21 or 4.16.17 to patch this vulnerability. If you're using Craft 3, make sure to upgrade to the latest Craft 4 or 5 releases that include these fixes. Regularly audit your permissions and access controls to prevent future issues. You’ve got this! With these updates, you’ll protect your Craft site like the security hero you are! 🛡️
| Product | Versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| craftcms/craft_cms | ≥ 3.0.0, < 4.16.17 | 4.16.17 |
| craftcms/craft_cms | ≥ 5.0.1, < 5.8.21 | 5.8.21 |
| craftcms/craft_cms | all versions | — |
| craftcms/craft_cms | all versions | — |