CVE-2025-12656
Summary
by MITRE • 06/06/2026
The Migration, Backup, Staging – WPvivid Backup & Migration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary directory deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the delete_cancel_staging_site() function in all versions up to, and including, 0.9.128. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Administrator-level access and above, to delete arbitrary folders on the server, which leads to a loss of data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2026
The WPvivid Backup & Migration plugin presents a critical directory traversal vulnerability through its delete_cancel_staging_site() function, affecting all versions up to and including 0.9.128. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize file path parameters, allowing malicious actors with administrator privileges to manipulate the deletion process. The flaw operates by accepting user-supplied directory paths without sufficient verification, enabling attackers to specify arbitrary folders for deletion within the WordPress installation directory structure. This represents a fundamental security oversight in the plugin's file handling mechanisms, where proper access controls and path validation procedures are absent or insufficient.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated administrative access, where an attacker can leverage their elevated privileges to craft malicious requests that target specific directory paths. The vulnerability manifests when the plugin processes staging site deletion requests, as it fails to validate whether the specified directory paths fall within the intended scope of operations. This allows for arbitrary directory deletion across the server filesystem, potentially compromising not only plugin data but also core WordPress files, user uploads, and other critical system components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22, which describes improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal attacks. The attack vector specifically enables an authenticated threat actor to execute destructive operations that can result in complete system compromise or data loss.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data deletion, as it creates opportunities for attackers to disrupt service availability, remove critical system files, and potentially establish persistent access points within the compromised environment. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can systematically remove directories containing essential WordPress functionality, plugin configurations, or user-generated content, leading to complete service degradation or complete system compromise. The consequences include potential denial of service conditions, data integrity violations, and the possibility of further escalation attacks that could compromise the entire hosting environment. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of least privilege and can undermine the security posture of WordPress installations that rely on this plugin for backup and migration operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected plugin versions to implement proper input validation and path sanitization mechanisms. System administrators should ensure that all WordPress installations are updated to the latest plugin versions that address this security flaw, while also implementing additional security controls such as web application firewalls and file integrity monitoring systems. The remediation process should include validating all file path parameters through strict whitelist validation and implementing proper access controls that limit directory operations to authorized locations only. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security audits of their WordPress installations to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other plugins or themes, as this type of path traversal flaw can occur across various software components. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of file system operations can help detect and respond to exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in web applications and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1485, which covers data destruction and the manipulation of backup systems.