InstaWP Connect <= 0.1.3.6 - Unauthenticated Cryptographic Key Disclosure
The InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 0.1.3.6 via the (top-level script) function. This is due to the plugin stores its encrypted options file as options-{migrate_key}.txt in wp-content/instawpbackups/ without deploying an index.php or .htaccess to prevent directory listing, exposing the 40-character migrate_key on Apache servers with directory indexing enabled, which allows an attacker to derive the AES-256-CBC passphrase via SHA256(migrate_key), decrypt the options file to recover the api_signature. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to get the database access details and api_signature. Exploitation requires the target WordPress site to be hosted on Apache with directory listing enabled (Options +Indexes) for the wp-content/instawpbackups/ directory, and time limited because it can only be exploited during the migration period.
Affected software
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| Platform | Package | Vulnerable versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress plugin | InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration | <= 0.1.3.6 | 0.1.3.7 |
References
- CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N- Weakness (CWE)
CWE-434- Platform
- WordPress
- Package
InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration- Disclosed
- 11.08.2026
- Updated
- 11.10.2026 10:23
Sources and licenses
Wordfence Intelligence - f5319467-92f6-4d4f-a76a-12aeb25d3c6b - Wordfence Intelligence
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Copyright 2012-2026 Defiant Inc.
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Vulnerability history: InstaWP Connect – 1-click WP Staging & Migration
All published vulnerabilities of this package (WordPress plugin), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.
- Total entries
- 18
- First → latest
- 07.2023 08.2026
- Without a fix
- 0
- Exploited in attacks
- 0
Severity breakdown
- Critical 6
- High 6
- Medium 6
Disclosures per year
- 2023: 1
- 2024: 10
- 2025: 4
- 2026: 3
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