Transfer Email from cPanel to cPanel Hit by Recent Sorry Ransomware

Organizations must upgrade their web hosting infrastructure from time to time. When they do, IT admins must have a clear plan on how to migrate cPanel from one server to another. That too without losing a single email of any user. The recent cPanel Exploit (CVE-2026-41940 or “Sorry” Ransomware) has induced a new sense of panic among admins. Everyone is looking to get out of the vulnerable system and secure their IT infrastructure.

Not only that, but there should be fail-safes to reduce overall downtime and ensure that data does not corrupt when migrating mail data from cPanel to cPanel.

TL;DR: Quick cPanel Migration Guide

• Have Root Access(WHM): Use cPanel’s built-in transfer option for quick server-to-server account moves.
• No Root Access: Backup via the data and ask your new hosting provider to restore it.
• Emails Only: Get the dedicated solution for secure background transfers.
• Post-Migration: Update all DNS Nameservers and wait for 48 hours for full propagation.

All of this sounds too complex, and frankly, it is complex. Administrators have a lot going on in their minds, like managing the data throughput of a server that is on its last legs. Keeping track of all digital assets. All this while consolidating decades’ worth of data.

Moreover, you should not think that cPanel is just a simple collection of email messages, because it’s not. On the contrary, it’s more akin to a complete ecosystem with multiple databases, DNS zones, and thousands of mailboxes that still receive messages daily.

So this guide is purposefully crafted for all admins who are doubtful about their upcoming transfer of cPanel data. Upon following the instructions here, you will be confident enough to make the move yourself. Let me first explain the server migration criteria you may fall into, as the process that you follow later varies sharply between the two.

Access Levels to Move Emails from cPanel to cPanel Server

Before you try to transfer anything, you must check what level of access you possess. cPanel divides the amount of freedom a person has based on two very simple criteria. However, don’t be fooled by the simplicity, as that is exactly where administrators make mistakes, only to find themselves submerged in endless hours of troubleshooting later.

The way you move your data between two cPanel environments depends on what your hosting provider allows and restricts. Here is what you need to look for:

Root Access (direct WHM to WHM transportation): This is where you have the most control. It is available to any organization that operates its very own Dedicated Server or VPS. Here, you get direct access to all the features in the Web Host Manager dashboard at your fingertips. Although more resource-intensive, with the right team, moving this type of system is usually easier and faster.

User Access (no WHM cPanel only): A more affordable, less technical option for cPanel. Here you are on a shared hosting plan where other organizations might also be using the same server. Small organizations without an in-house IT team opt for this type of offering. However, being easy to use has a drawback: you have no choice but to rely on manual backups.

Now that I have made you aware of your starting position, let’s start addressing the actual procedure one by one.

How to Migrate cPanel From One Server to Another (With Root Access)?

Being the earlier one out of the two doesn’t mean that it is a one-click operation. IT admins still need to exercise caution and follow each step with utmost scrutiny. That being said, having WHM access on both servers is mandatory for the procedure to work. Double-check your permission level and only then continue with the steps below.

🚨 URGENT SECURITY ALERT: If you are migrating because your server was hit by the recent cPanel “Sorry” ransomware, wait. The standard WHM transfers are too risky and can infect adjacent systems as well. Check if the core WHM files are compromised; if positive, the native packaging tools might drag the malware directly into your new server. So always audit your files first. Do not migrate anything ending in .sorry.

Step 1. Start by Preparing the New Server:

After you get a new cPanel server, it still needs a settings override to be able to accept old data. So, log in to your new server’s WHM portal. Look at how much total available disk space you have. It should be more than the total amount of data in your old server, plus some extra room to handle all the new data that users will generate. See what the version is and update it to the latest patch.

Step 2. Use the built-in cPanel Transfer Option:

In the new WHM portal, you should see a Transfer option. Search for it if you can see it right away.

• Type the IP address and the Root Password (you may also use the SSH key if you have it with you) of your Old cPanel server.
• Click the “Fetch Account List” button.
• Pick every single cPanel account that you need in the new server (use this selection point strategically and avoid bringing in data that you don’t need).
• Finally, click Copy.

Your job is done; the rest of the work will be handled by the server itself. It will start to package the database, files, and settings. Then, all that information will be passed through a secure network to reach the new server. Once the data arrives in the new server, it gets unpacked and stored in the appropriate location.

Now let’s hop on to the process for those who lack direct root access.

cPanel to cPanel Migration in Shared Hosting Without Root Access

If you are looking to migrate cPanel from one server to another, but only have user-level access, then the pathway changes. It does not mean that you can’t shift the data; you have to do it manually.

• Step 1. Start by signing in to the cPanel account.
• Step 2. Choose Files > then look for the Backup Wizard option.
• Step 3. Press the Back up button and choose the Full Backup mode.
• Step 4. Put your Home directory as the destination and then wait till you get a compressed .tar.gz archive file.
• Step 5. Download this data locally (Note: even after being compressed, it might take some time because the size is too large to begin with). You may also use FTP to transfer it to the new server’s home directory.
• Step 6. Now switch over to the new server. There, you need to take help from the support staff and ask them to put the archive data in the actual storage area. (Note: These services are part of your subscription plan.)

Not every time an organization has to do a full server shift, sometimes it’s just enough to relocate email data. I have an excellent option for just this scenario.

Move Just Emails from cPanel to cPanel Professionally

When an organization rebrands their primary priority is that all users move their mailboxes. For this precise and errorless cPanel to cPanel email migration, the best option is none other than SysTools IMAP Migration Tool.

 

It connects directly to both server instances and, in just 5 simple steps, carries out the full transfer. Your team can continue their work normally as this tool pushes email data in the background, then, with delta cutover, shifts the last remaining mail data not processed during the first run.

It has numerous control options from timeline selection to user check boxes and a concurrent slider, so you are in complete control every step of the way.

If you have another destination in mind, like Outlook, for instance, it would be more helpful to know how to export cPanel email to Outlook instead.

Speaking of other destinations, a server change is where IT admins have the option to permanently change the way the organization manages email. If you have such ideas, let me teach you how to move beyond the standard cPanel server.

Migrate cPanel from One Server to Another New Environment

Organizations might want to ditch cPanel altogether and adopt any one of the countless cloud service providers out there. There has been a recent uptick in businesses following this route, especially to gain productivity gains from the new AI capabilities that many of the top cloud providers have to offer.

If you are a decision maker or a stakeholder, you have the option to migrate cPanel email to Google Workspace, and enter a platform that is much better for close collaboration between diverse teams. The alternative option is to migrate email from cPanel to Office 365 better suited for organizations that prefer the legacy tools of Microsoft.

In both these cases, you take the server-to-server transfer route and then, at the end, update the DNS to match your new platform.

Do This After Migrating cPanel to cPanel

Once you successfully migrate cPanel from one server to another, the files and email have moved, but for the wider net, you are still on the old server address. So we must take steps so that all new messages arrive at the new correct address.

Update the Nameservers (DNS): Go to your domain registrar portal, and there toggle the options so Name servers now point to the new hosting provider. Don’t worry if emails bounce back and forth; this is normal. DNS propagation change is not instantaneous and can take up to two days to correctly map it out.

Shift Interim Emails DIY Style: During the 48-hour period when the changes are taking place, and your users receive emails, it will still go to the old server. So transfer IMAP emails to the new host one final time using a “delta pass” to catch these stragglers.

Ensure Forwards are Working: Users often maintain more than one alias for their email to protect their privacy and manage recipients. A few of them might take it a bit further and use rules to respond to generic messages automatically. When you transfer cPanel to cPanel, sometimes users get errors like cPanel email forwarding not working. To fix it, double-check your Email Routing settings in cPanel to ensure it is set to “Local Mail Exchanger.”

Final Verdict on cPanel to cPanel Migration

Here in this write-up, I gave you clear-cut instructions to migrate cPanel from one server to another. The steps vary depending on whether you have access to WHM or not. So check for it first and only then decide on the pathway. Moreover, if your scenario just requires email transportation, then there is an excellent utility for that particular case included right here in the text. Use it and enjoy an effortless migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the cPanel Exploit (CVE-2026-41940 or “Sorry” Ransomware)?

In simple words, hackers were able to deploy a fully automated trick to bypass the 2FA that was supposed to protect your cPanel account. This was a CRLF (Carriage Return Line Feed) injection that broke the whostmgrsession cookie. When cPnel’s encrypted cookie check failed, it defaulted back to a plain-text session file. where CRLF came into the picture again and injected user=root and tfa_verified=1 directly into the file. Once inside, all the /home directories were encrypted via a ChaCha 20 cipher, and all files were renamed with the .sorry extension.

Q: How much time will it take for me to migrate cPanel from one server to another?

There is no fixed duration. However, you can make a pretty close estimation of how long it will take by analyzing your data size and bandwidth speed. The biggest speed breaker is the DNS propagation, for which you have no choice but to wait for 24 – 48 hours.

Q: Will my website remain functional while the cPanel to cPanel migration is in progress?

If all steps are done in a correct manner, then there is zero chance for downtime. However, don’t decommission the old server unless and until full repopulation of the new server is complete.

Q: Is it possible to just move the emails between cPanel accounts?

Yes, the professional tool does exactly that. The manual alternative is too slow and error-prone, so use the prescribed software and transfer every last email message.

Q: Does my IP address also change when I migrate cPanel from one server to another?

Yes, shifting your IT infra changes the IP address. It’s true even if you keep the same domain. That is why DNS updates are so important as they control all data packets behind the scenes.

Q: Is WHM access compulsory to move cPanel?

No, it is possible to transfer even without explicit access to the WHM portal. Get the archive file from the old server and ask the hosting provider to upload it from their end.