CVE-2026-16253 Total Upkeep < 1.17.3 - Unauthenticated Sensitive Data Disclosure and Forced Site Restore via Predictable cron_secret
Unauthenticated attackers can disclose sensitive backup data and force a full site restore by exploiting a predictable cron secret in the Total Upkeep plugin.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-16253?
CVE-2026-16253 is a high-severity vulnerability in Unknown Total Upkeep, published on 12 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
The Total Upkeep WordPress plugin before 1.17.3 does not adequately protect the secret that authorizes its backup-restore functionality and exposes it to unauthenticated users, allowing them to disclose sensitive backup information and to force a full site restore that overwrites the live site's files and database. This is an incomplete fix of CVE-2020-36848, as the protection added at the time never took effect on distributed copies of the plugin.
Weakness: CWE-200
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-16253?
How do I fix CVE-2026-16253?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-16253 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-16253 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-16253 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-9629-rv6j-mh73.