Unauthenticated Craft CMS users can trigger a database backup
Unauthenticated users can trigger database backup operations the updater/backup action, potentially leading to resource exhaustion or information disclosure.
Users should update to the patched versions (5.8.21 and 4.16.17) to mitigate the issue.
Craft 3 users should update to the latest Craft 4 and 5 releases, which include the fixes.
References:
https://github.com/craftcms/cms/commit/f83d4e0c6b906743206b4747db4abf8164b8da39
https://github.com/craftcms/cms/blob/5.x/CHANGELOG.md#5821---2025-12-04
Affected Endpoints
POST /admin/actions/updater/backup(unauthenticated)
Vulnerability Details
Root Cause
All updater/* actions are explicitly configured with anonymous access:
// BaseUpdaterController.php
protected array|bool|int $allowAnonymous = self::ALLOW_ANONYMOUS_LIVE | self::ALLOW_ANONYMOUS_OFFLINE;
Attack Vector
- Send unauthenticated POST request to
/admin/actions/updater/backup - Database backup executes with configured
backupCommand
Affected software
Click a technology to see all vulnerabilities affecting it.
| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composer package | craftcms/cms | >= 5.0.0-RC1, < 5.8.21, >= 3.0.0, < 4.16.17 | 5.8.21, 4.16.17 |
References
- https://github.com/craftcms/cms/security/advisories/GHSA-v64r-7wg9-23pr
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-68456
- https://github.com/craftcms/cms/commit/f83d4e0c6b906743206b4747db4abf8164b8da39
- https://github.com/craftcms/cms
- https://github.com/craftcms/cms/blob/5.x/CHANGELOG.md#5821---2025-12-04
- CVSS vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:P- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-202, CWE-770- Platform
- Composer
- Package
craftcms/cms- Disclosed
- 05.01.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:22
Sources and licenses
OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-v64r-7wg9-23pr - CC BY 4.0
Vulnerability history: craftcms/cms
All published vulnerabilities of this package (Composer package), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 127
- First → latest
- 07.2021 08.2026
- Without a fix
- 6
- Exploited in attacks
- 4
Severity breakdown
- Critical 9
- High 41
- Medium 65
- Low 12
Disclosures per year
- 2021: 3
- 2022: 22
- 2023: 13
- 2024: 9
- 2025: 6
- 2026: 74
-
Unauthenticated Craft CMS users can trigger a database backup this entry
Know which vulnerabilities affect your application
With the DockRay integration and software inventory enabled, DockRay checks reported component versions against known vulnerabilities and notifies you about confirmed matches. Coverage depends on the supported technology and available advisory data.