Wordfence could not find a saved cron key

Hi @ojkprabhu, thanks for your contacting us!

In some instances with load balanced databases and web sites, the scan will stop with this exact error. In Wordfence > Scan > Scan Options > General Options, this has been known to be fixed by disabling the “Scan file contents for malicious URLs” option.

If that doesn’t work, check your maximum execution time:

• Cancel any existing scans.
• Go to your Scan > Scan Options and Scheduling page and locate the “Performance Options”
• Set “Maximum execution time for each scan stage” to 20 on the options page
• Click to “Save Changes”
• Try another scan.

If you continue to experience problems, you can also take the following steps so that I can grab some information to help you:

• Go to the Tools > Diagnostics page
• In the “Debugging Options” section check the circle “Enable debugging mode”
• Click to “Save Changes”.
• Start a new scan.
• Copy the last 20 lines from the activity log (click the “Show Log” link) once the scan finishes and paste them here.

There could also be issues around caching, allowlisting of IPs, or a problem with the database itself (depending on your platform) so it might still be necessary to troubleshoot further, but seeing what exactly the scan was trying when it failed would be useful.

Thanks,

Mark.

Scan file contents for malicious URLs disabled

Maximum execution time for each scan stage” to?20

Still showing error

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.556954:4:error] Wordfence could not find a saved cron key to start the scan so assuming it started and exiting.

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.556637:4:info] Checking cronkey: cd92c7b63f59d4cf2dbf42a436d1198f (expecting [none])

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.556383:4:info] Fetching stored cronkey for comparison.

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.556104:4:info] Verifying start request signature.

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.555708:4:info] Scan engine received request.

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.180861:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/src/Admin/API/ProductsLowInStock.php (Size: 13.93 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.134515:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/templates/global/form-login.php (Size: 2.71 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.123313:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/css/helper.css (Size: 16.49 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.114931:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/03/photo_2022-03-16_10-08-36-159x300.jpg (Size: 8 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.106034:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/05/photo_2021-03-14_22-05-07-151x300-1.jpg (Size: 5.96 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.096633:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2019/05/photo_2019-05-14_17-43-48-730x300.jpg (Size: 16.4 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.087628:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screenshot_2022_0409_091353.jpg (Size: 14.31 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:51:1705767771.072076:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/06/WhatsApp-Image-2022-06-14-at-10.16.51-AM-100x100.jpeg (Size: 2.77 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.999107:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/src/StoreApi/Utilities/CartController.php (Size: 44.28 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.991793:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/blocks/inner-blocks/checkout-shipping-method-block/block.json (Size: 600 B Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.911678:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-includes/blocks/error_log (Size: 5.56 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.903742:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/blocks/inner-blocks/mini-cart-products-table-block/block.json (Size: 632 B Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.897501:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/admin/wp-admin-scripts/marketing-coupons.js.LICENSE.txt (Size: 121 B Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.890073:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Lucky-Bamboo-Plant-300x156-1-100x100.png (Size: 6.57 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.883028:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/blocks/cart-blocks/filled-cart-frontend.js (Size: 1.13 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.875162:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/03/unnamed-8-2-100x100.png (Size: 4.68 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.862842:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/packages/action-scheduler/classes/migration/Runner.php (Size: 3.64 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.852576:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2019/06/81e9fIpRRvL._SL1500_-300x225.jpg (Size: 17.14 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.844334:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2021/06/3-8-300x214-1-90x90.png (Size: 3.59 KB Mem: 12 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.829266:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/wpo_wcpdf/fonts/Times-Italic.afm (Size: 67.52 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.797338:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/admin/components/style-rtl.css (Size: 128.58 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.774762:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20210109_001231_0000-560x400.png (Size: 105.66 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.765996:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Untitled-100x100.png (Size: 6.76 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.751566:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/02/photo_2022-02-04_19-44-10-1.jpg (Size: 42.38 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.742600:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2020/02/photo_2021-12-21-10.18.40-300x225.jpeg (Size: 11.27 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.730042:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/blocks/rating-filter-rtl.css (Size: 30.8 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.722069:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/vendor/composer/installers/src/Composer/Installers/WolfCMSInstaller.php (Size: 173 B Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.714706:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/blocks/checkout-blocks/order-note-frontend.js (Size: 1.27 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.705830:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/src/Internal/DependencyManagement/ServiceProviders/MarketplaceServiceProvider.php (Size: 670 B Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.691076:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/images/icons/credit-cards/jcb.png (Size: 1.4 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.669980:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/src/Admin/API/MarketingChannels.php (Size: 5.74 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.661581:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/03/photo_2020-01-10_12-19-52-300x209-1-100x100.jpg (Size: 2.14 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.648849:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2019/05/MUNCH-Maha-Digital-banner-01-1536x538-1-300x225.jpg (Size: 16.76 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.585576:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/src/StoreApi/Schemas/V1/CartSchema.php (Size: 16.2 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.573153:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2021/11/photo_2022-05-13-09.59.14-768x914-1-252x300.jpeg (Size: 15.24 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.472288:4:info] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/images/marketing/creative-mail-by-constant-contact.png (Size: 3.52 KB Mem: 10 MB)

[Jan 20 21:52:50:1705767770.459421:2:info] Starting scan of file contents

• Still showing error
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/lib/packages/Psr/Container/ContainerExceptionInterface.php (Size: 214 B Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2019/05/image-16-619×450.png (Size: 44.97 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/09/unnamed-480×450.jpg (Size: 8.63 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/05/photo_2021-03-14_22-04-59-212×300-1-212×225.jpg (Size: 3.07 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2022/08/photo_2022-08-10_09-01-55-276×300-1-150×150.jpg (Size: 5.96 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2020/05/zOL-4pbEnKBY_9S1jNKb7uRH-1.woff (Size: 18.99 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/includes/admin/settings/views/html-settings-tax.php (Size: 7.66 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/admin/chunks/store-performance.js (Size: 4.48 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/templates/auth/header.php (Size: 1.46 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Signup-300×252-1-150×150.png (Size: 3.76 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:19] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/packages/action-scheduler/classes/data-stores/ActionScheduler_DBLogger.php (Size: 4.37 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:20] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/blocks/cart-blocks/cart-items-style.js (Size: 309 B Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:20] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/includes/admin/views/html-notice-template-check.php (Size: 1.65 KB Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:20] Scanning contents: wp-content/plugins/woocommerce/assets/client/blocks/order-confirmation-shipping-address.asset.php (Size: 169 B Mem: 44 MB)
• [Jan 30 12:15:20] Scan engine received request.
• [Jan 30 12:15:20] Verifying start request signature.
• [Jan 30 12:15:20] Fetching stored cronkey for comparison.
• [Jan 30 12:15:20] Checking cronkey: a4802e850f2617df575c4c9a9dabac86 (expecting [none])
• [Jan 30 12:15:20]?Wordfence could not find a saved cron key to start the scan so assuming it started and exiting.

Hi @ojkprabhu,

Thank you for sending the scan log.

Could you please temporarily turn off the scan option Scan for out of date, abandoned, and vulnerable plugins, themes, and WordPress versions, and see if the scan completes properly.

Additionally, please send a diagnostic report to wftest @ wordfence.com. You can find the link to do so at the top of the Wordfence > Tools > Diagnostics page. Then click on “Send Report by Email”. Please add your forum username where indicated and respond here after you have sent it.

NOTE: It should look as follows – Screenshot of Tools > Diagnostic > Send by Email

Thanks,

Mark.

Scan for out of date, abandoned, and vulnerable plugins, themes, and WordPress versions option turn off but still showing error!.

Still showing error

• [Feb 17 09:47:57]?Ajax request received to start scan.
• [Feb 17 09:47:57] Entering start scan routine
• [Feb 17 09:47:57] Got value from wf config maxExecutionTime: 20
• [Feb 17 09:47:57] getMaxExecutionTime() returning config value: 20
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Test result of scan start URL fetch: array ( ‘headers’ => WpOrg\Requests\Utility\CaseInsensitiveDictionary::__set_state(array( ‘data’ => array ( ‘content-type’ => ‘text/html; charset=UTF-8’, ‘x-robots-tag’ => ‘noindex’, ‘x-content-type-options’ => ‘nosniff’, ‘expires’ => ‘Wed, 11 Jan 1984 05:00:00 GMT’, ‘cache-control’ => ‘no-cache, must-revalidate, max-age=0’, ‘referrer-policy’ => ‘strict-origin-when-cross-origin’, ‘x-frame-options’ => ‘SAMEORIGIN’, ‘x-litespeed-cache-control’ => ‘no-cache’, ‘vary’ => ‘Accept-Encoding,Accept-Encoding,Accept-Encoding’, ‘content-length’ => ’32’, ‘content-encoding’ => ‘gzip’, ‘date’ => ‘Sat, 17 Feb 2024 04:17:58 GMT’, ‘server’ => ‘LiteSpeed’, ‘alt-svc’ => ‘h3=”:443″; ma=2592000, h3-29=”:443″; ma=2592000, h3-Q050=”:443″; ma=2592000, h3-Q046=”:443″; ma=2592000, h3-Q043=”:443″; ma=2592000, quic=”:443″; ma=2592000; v=”43,46″‘, ), )), ‘body’ => ‘WFSCANTE
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Starting cron with normal ajax at URL https://likenow.in/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=wordfence_doScan&isFork=0&scanMode=custom&cronKey=8cf0feced238d51c323a3c390e488df9&signature=b3ff480becc19c32275bceac40939e5e0ed687ff2d88963e3f6231e40988dd14
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Scan engine received request.
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Verifying start request signature.
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Fetching stored cronkey for comparison.
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Checking cronkey: 8cf0feced238d51c323a3c390e488df9 (expecting 8cf0feced238d51c323a3c390e488df9)
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Checking saved cronkey against cronkey param
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Checking if scan is already running
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Requesting max memory
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Setting up error handling environment
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Setting up scanRunning and starting scan
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Contacting Wordfence to initiate scan
• [Feb 17 09:47:58] Calling Wordfence API v2.26:https://noc1.wordfence.com/v2.26/?k=20e2b1fc99598519903105433a9ca17493c8949cc88ef85c91afb522e2eab6ff5e985c3a15adb0753f2698653b2934ab&s=eyJ3cCI6IjYuNC4zIiwid2YiOiI3LjExLjMiLCJtcyI6ZmFsc2UsImgiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbGlrZW5vdy5pbiIsInNzbHYiOjI2OTQ4ODUxMSwicHYiOiI3LjQuMzMiLCJwdCI6ImxpdGVzcGVlZCIsImN2IjoiOC41LjAiLCJjcyI6Ik9wZW5TU0xcLzEuMS4xdyIsInN2IjoiTGl0ZVNwZWVkIiwiZHYiOiI1LjcuNDQiLCJsYW5nIjoiIn0&action=log_scan
• [Feb 17 09:47:59] Ajax request received to start scan.
• [Feb 17 09:47:59] Entering start scan routine
• [Feb 17 09:47:59] Scan process ended after forking.
• [Feb 17 09:47:59] Got value from wf config maxExecutionTime: 20
• [Feb 17 09:47:59] getMaxExecutionTime() returning config value: 20
• [Feb 17 09:48:07] Total disk space: 6.48 TB — Free disk space: 3.32 TB
• [Feb 17 09:48:07] The disk has 3476581.87 MB available
• [Feb 17 09:48:10] Including files that are outside the WordPress installation in the scan.
• [Feb 17 09:48:10] Getting plugin list from WordPress
• [Feb 17 09:48:10] Found 17 plugins
• [Feb 17 09:48:10] Getting theme list from WordPress
• [Feb 17 09:48:10] Found 1 theme
• [Feb 17 09:48:10] Calling Wordfence API v2.26:https://noc1.wordfence.com/v2.26/?k=20e2b1fc99598519903105433a9ca17493c8949cc88ef85c91afb522e2eab6ff5e985c3a15adb0753f2698653b2934ab&s=eyJ3cCI6IjYuNC4zIiwid2YiOiI3LjExLjMiLCJtcyI6ZmFsc2UsImgiOiJodHRwczpcL1wvbGlrZW5vdy5pbiIsInNzbHYiOjI2OTQ4ODUxMSwicHYiOiI3LjQuMzMiLCJwdCI6ImxpdGVzcGVlZCIsImN2IjoiOC41LjAiLCJjcyI6Ik9wZW5TU0xcLzEuMS4xdyIsInN2IjoiTGl0ZVNwZWVkIiwiZHYiOiI1LjcuNDQiLCJsYW5nIjoiIn0&action=get_known_files
• [Feb 17 09:48:12] Using cached malware prefixes
• [Feb 17 09:48:12] Using cached core hashes
• [Feb 17 09:48:14] 500 files indexed
• [Feb 17 09:48:14] 1000 files indexed
• [Feb 17 09:48:15] 1500 files indexed
• [Feb 17 09:48:17] 2000 files indexed
• [Feb 17 09:48:17] Scan engine received request.
• [Feb 17 09:48:17] Verifying start request signature.
• [Feb 17 09:48:17] Fetching stored cronkey for comparison.
• [Feb 17 09:48:17] Checking cronkey: 8cf0feced238d51c323a3c390e488df9 (expecting [none])
• [Feb 17 09:48:17]?Wordfence could not find a saved cron key to start the scan so assuming it started and exiting.

• This reply was modified 9 months, 2 weeks ago by ojkprabhu.