CVE-2026-8996
The Backup and Staging by WP Time Capsule plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Sensitive Information Exposure in all versions up to, and including, 1.22.26 via the download_recent_decrypted_file_wptc. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with subscriber-level access and above, to extract download the most recently admin-decrypted SQL database backup, which typically contains password hashes, user credentials, and other sensitive site configuration data stored in the 'recent_decrypted_file' option. Exploitation requires that an administrator has previously performed a decrypt action, causing the decrypted SQL backup file to exist in the plugin's upload directory; without this prior admin action, there is no file to serve.
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Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.27% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 19% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Advisory coverage (1)
External references
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[](https://www.csirts.com/cve/CVE-2026-8996)