What the vulnerability does
01Description
The BackWPup – WordPress Backup & Restore Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data that can lead to privilege escalation due to a missing capability check on the save_site_option() function in all versions up to, and including, 5.6.2. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with level access and above, to update arbitrary options on the WordPress site. This can be leveraged to update the default role for registration to administrator and enable user registration for attackers to gain administrative user access to a vulnerable site.
Explanation of Vulnerability in Simple Terms
02Summary
BackWPup versions up to 5.6.2 lack proper authorization checks, allowing high-privilege users to read, modify, or delete backup data and site files without appropriate permission validation. An attacker with administrator or equivalent access can exploit this to access sensitive information, alter backups, or disrupt site recovery capabilities. Update to a version newer than 5.6.2.
What an attacker can do
03Attacker Capabilities
Read, modify, or delete backup files and site data with high-level account access.
Potential impact on your site
04Site Impact
Backups can be accessed, altered, or deleted by privileged users without proper authorization checks.
Conditions required to exploit
05Prerequisites
Attacker must have high-privilege WordPress account (administrator or equivalent role).
Key dates
06Disclosure timeline
February 19, 2026
CVE published
February 19, 2026
Record updated
