CVE-2020-36848 in Total Upkeep Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/12/2025
The Total Upkeep – WordPress Backup Plugin plus Restore & Migrate by BoldGrid plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.14.9 via the env-info.php and restore-info.json files. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to find the location of back-up files and subsequently download them.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36848 affects the Total Upkeep WordPress plugin developed by BoldGrid, specifically impacting versions up to and including 1.14.9. This security flaw represents a critical exposure of sensitive system information that undermines the confidentiality and integrity of backup operations within WordPress environments. The vulnerability manifests through the improper handling of backup file location information in two specific files: env-info.php and restore-info.json. These files contain critical path information that reveals the exact locations where backup files are stored on the server filesystem, creating an exploitable condition that allows unauthorized access to sensitive data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate access controls and information disclosure mechanisms within the plugin's codebase. When these files are accessible without authentication, they expose the complete file system paths where backup operations are stored, including database dumps and file archives. This information disclosure vulnerability falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege. Attackers can leverage this exposure to construct targeted attacks that bypass normal authentication mechanisms, potentially gaining access to complete website backups including database credentials, user information, and potentially sensitive business data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to create a comprehensive attack surface that enables more sophisticated exploitation techniques. Unauthenticated attackers can systematically enumerate backup file locations and subsequently download complete backup archives, potentially compromising entire website installations. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 for "Data from Information Repositories" and represents a significant risk to WordPress administrators who rely on the plugin for backup and restore operations. The exposure of backup file locations creates a pathway for attackers to potentially access multiple versions of backups, including those containing older credentials or sensitive information that may have been previously compromised.
Organizations running affected versions of the Total Upkeep plugin face immediate security risks that require prompt remediation. The vulnerability creates a persistent threat vector that remains active until the plugin is updated or the affected files are properly secured. Mitigation strategies should include immediate plugin updates to versions that address this information disclosure flaw, implementation of web application firewalls to block access to the vulnerable files, and comprehensive review of backup file permissions and access controls. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits to identify other potential information disclosure vulnerabilities within their WordPress installations and implement proper file access controls that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive system information. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the potential consequences of failing to address known information disclosure flaws in widely-used plugins.