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: ```php // BaseUpdaterController.php protected array|bool|int $allowAnonymous = self::ALLOW_ANONYMOUS_LIVE | self::ALLOW_ANONYMOUS_OFFLINE; ``` ### Attack Vector 1. Send unauthenticated POST request to `/admin/actions/updater/backup` 2. Database backup executes with configured `backupCommand`
describes (1)
Related CVEs.
| ID | severity | exploitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVE-2025-68456US | critical9.1 | — | ||
Craft is a platform for creating digital experiences. In versions 5.0.0-RC1 through 5.8.20 and 3.0.0 through 4.16.16, unauthenticated users can trigger database backup operations… | ||||
references
External citations — patches, advisories, analysis.
- https://github.com/craftcms/cmsPACKAGE
- https://github.com/craftcms/cms/blob/5.x/CHANGELOG.md#5821---2025-12-04WEB
- https://github.com/craftcms/cms/commit/f83d4e0c6b906743206b4747db4abf8164b8da39WEB
- https://github.com/craftcms/cms/security/advisories/GHSA-v64r-7wg9-23prWEB
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-68456ADVISORY
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