# CVE-2024-8856: Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule <= 1.22.21 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload

> Unauthenticated attackers can upload arbitrary files to the server, potentially leading to remote code execution.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 16 Nov 2024
- **Updated:** 8 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-wph3-vq9m-q946

## What is CVE-2024-8856?

CVE-2024-8856 is a critical vulnerability in revmakx Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule, published on 16 Nov 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the the UploadHandler.php file and no direct file access prevention in all versions up to, and including, 1.22.21. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to upload arbitrary files on the affected site's server which may make remote code execution possible.

Weakness: CWE-434 (Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-8856?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Revmakx Backup and Staging by Wp Time Capsule.

## How do I fix CVE-2024-8856?

No fix has been published for CVE-2024-8856 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2024-8856 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2024-8856 exists.

Public exploit code:

- WordPress WP Time Capsule Plugin Arbitrary File Upload Vulnerability (github_poc): https://github.com/ubaydev/CVE-2024-8856
- This tool scans WordPress websites for vulnerabilities in the WP Time Capsule plugin related to CVE-2024-8856. It identifies plugin versions below 1.22.22 as vulnerable and logs results to vuln.txt. Simple and efficient, it helps security researchers and admins detect and address risks quickly. (github_poc): https://github.com/Jenderal92/CVE-2024-8856
- WordPress WP Time Capsule Arbitrary File Upload to RCE (metasploit)
- Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule 1.22.21 - Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Upload (exploitdb)
- https://github.com/Evillm/CVE-2024-8856-PoC (github_poc): https://github.com/Evillm/CVE-2024-8856-PoC
- WP Time Capsule Plugin - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2024/CVE-2024-8856.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in revmakx Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule

- [CVE-2021-25035](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-25035/): Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule < 1.22.7 - Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (medium 6.1)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2024-8856 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2024-8856 is a critical vulnerability in revmakx Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule, published on 16 Nov 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2024-8856 exists.

Affected product: revmakx Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-8856/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-8856/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-8856
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-8856
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2024-8856

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-8856/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.