CVE-2026-5821 (GCVE-0-2026-5821)
Vulnerability from cvelistv5 – Published: 2026-07-02 05:35 – Updated: 2026-07-02 05:35
VLAI
Title
Image Optimizer <= 1.7.4 - Authenticated (Author+) Arbitrary File Deletion via Post Meta Field Injection
Summary
The Image Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in versions up to and including 1.7.4. This is due to insufficient path validation in the Image_Backup::remove() function where backup file paths stored in post meta are used directly in file deletion operations without verifying they are within the uploads directory. The plugin stores backup file paths in the image_optimizer_metadata post meta field and trusts these paths completely when deleting backups on the delete_attachment hook. An authenticated attacker with Author-level access can edit the image_optimizer_metadata post meta on their own attachments via WordPress's Custom Fields interface, injecting arbitrary absolute file paths into the backups array. When the attacker subsequently deletes the attachment, the plugin calls File_System::delete() on each path without validation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server within the web server's filesystem permissions, potentially leading to denial of service, data loss, or security degradation.
Severity
8.1 (High)
CWE
- CWE-73 - External Control of File Name or Path
Assigner
References
8 references
Impacted products
1 product
| Vendor | Product | Version | |
|---|---|---|---|
| elemntor | Image Optimizer – Optimize Images and Convert to WebP or AVIF |
Affected:
0 , ≤ 1.7.4
(semver)
|
Credits
{
"containers": {
"cna": {
"affected": [
{
"defaultStatus": "unaffected",
"product": "Image Optimizer \u2013 Optimize Images and Convert to WebP or AVIF",
"vendor": "elemntor",
"versions": [
{
"lessThanOrEqual": "1.7.4",
"status": "affected",
"version": "0",
"versionType": "semver"
}
]
}
],
"credits": [
{
"lang": "en",
"type": "finder",
"value": "Dmitrii Ignatyev"
}
],
"descriptions": [
{
"lang": "en",
"value": "The Image Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in versions up to and including 1.7.4. This is due to insufficient path validation in the Image_Backup::remove() function where backup file paths stored in post meta are used directly in file deletion operations without verifying they are within the uploads directory. The plugin stores backup file paths in the image_optimizer_metadata post meta field and trusts these paths completely when deleting backups on the delete_attachment hook. An authenticated attacker with Author-level access can edit the image_optimizer_metadata post meta on their own attachments via WordPress\u0027s Custom Fields interface, injecting arbitrary absolute file paths into the backups array. When the attacker subsequently deletes the attachment, the plugin calls File_System::delete() on each path without validation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server within the web server\u0027s filesystem permissions, potentially leading to denial of service, data loss, or security degradation."
}
],
"metrics": [
{
"cvssV3_1": {
"baseScore": 8.1,
"baseSeverity": "HIGH",
"vectorString": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H",
"version": "3.1"
}
}
],
"problemTypes": [
{
"descriptions": [
{
"cweId": "CWE-73",
"description": "CWE-73 External Control of File Name or Path",
"lang": "en",
"type": "CWE"
}
]
}
],
"providerMetadata": {
"dateUpdated": "2026-07-02T05:35:07.753Z",
"orgId": "b15e7b5b-3da4-40ae-a43c-f7aa60e62599",
"shortName": "Wordfence"
},
"references": [
{
"url": "https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a1a00374-e9d6-46f9-a28c-cb7768505787?source=cve"
},
{
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/classes/image/image-backup.php#L117"
},
{
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/classes/image/image-backup.php#L117"
},
{
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/modules/backups/components/handle-backups-removing.php#L19"
},
{
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/modules/backups/components/handle-backups-removing.php#L19"
},
{
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/classes/image/image-meta.php#L97"
},
{
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/classes/image/image-meta.php#L97"
},
{
"url": "https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=\u0026sfph_mail=\u0026reponame=\u0026old=3557772%40image-optimization\u0026new=3557772%40image-optimization\u0026sfp_email=\u0026sfph_mail="
}
],
"timeline": [
{
"lang": "en",
"time": "2026-07-01T17:26:17.000Z",
"value": "Disclosed"
}
],
"title": "Image Optimizer \u003c= 1.7.4 - Authenticated (Author+) Arbitrary File Deletion via Post Meta Field Injection"
}
},
"cveMetadata": {
"assignerOrgId": "b15e7b5b-3da4-40ae-a43c-f7aa60e62599",
"assignerShortName": "Wordfence",
"cveId": "CVE-2026-5821",
"datePublished": "2026-07-02T05:35:07.753Z",
"dateReserved": "2026-04-08T16:28:00.923Z",
"dateUpdated": "2026-07-02T05:35:07.753Z",
"state": "PUBLISHED"
},
"dataType": "CVE_RECORD",
"dataVersion": "5.2",
"vulnerability-lookup:meta": {
"nvd": "{\"cve\":{\"id\":\"CVE-2026-5821\",\"sourceIdentifier\":\"security@wordfence.com\",\"published\":\"2026-07-02T06:16:14.220\",\"lastModified\":\"2026-07-02T06:16:14.220\",\"vulnStatus\":\"Received\",\"cveTags\":[],\"descriptions\":[{\"lang\":\"en\",\"value\":\"The Image Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in versions up to and including 1.7.4. This is due to insufficient path validation in the Image_Backup::remove() function where backup file paths stored in post meta are used directly in file deletion operations without verifying they are within the uploads directory. The plugin stores backup file paths in the image_optimizer_metadata post meta field and trusts these paths completely when deleting backups on the delete_attachment hook. An authenticated attacker with Author-level access can edit the image_optimizer_metadata post meta on their own attachments via WordPress\u0027s Custom Fields interface, injecting arbitrary absolute file paths into the backups array. When the attacker subsequently deletes the attachment, the plugin calls File_System::delete() on each path without validation. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Author-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server within the web server\u0027s filesystem permissions, potentially leading to denial of service, data loss, or security degradation.\"}],\"affected\":[{\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\",\"affectedData\":[{\"vendor\":\"elemntor\",\"product\":\"Image Optimizer \u2013 Optimize Images and Convert to WebP or AVIF\",\"defaultStatus\":\"unaffected\",\"versions\":[{\"version\":\"0\",\"lessThanOrEqual\":\"1.7.4\",\"versionType\":\"semver\",\"status\":\"affected\"}]}]}],\"metrics\":{\"cvssMetricV31\":[{\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\",\"type\":\"Primary\",\"cvssData\":{\"version\":\"3.1\",\"vectorString\":\"CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H\",\"baseScore\":8.1,\"baseSeverity\":\"HIGH\",\"attackVector\":\"NETWORK\",\"attackComplexity\":\"LOW\",\"privilegesRequired\":\"LOW\",\"userInteraction\":\"NONE\",\"scope\":\"UNCHANGED\",\"confidentialityImpact\":\"NONE\",\"integrityImpact\":\"HIGH\",\"availabilityImpact\":\"HIGH\"},\"exploitabilityScore\":2.8,\"impactScore\":5.2}]},\"weaknesses\":[{\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\",\"type\":\"Primary\",\"description\":[{\"lang\":\"en\",\"value\":\"CWE-73\"}]}],\"references\":[{\"url\":\"https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/classes/image/image-backup.php#L117\",\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\"},{\"url\":\"https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/classes/image/image-meta.php#L97\",\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\"},{\"url\":\"https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/modules/backups/components/handle-backups-removing.php#L19\",\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\"},{\"url\":\"https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/classes/image/image-backup.php#L117\",\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\"},{\"url\":\"https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/classes/image/image-meta.php#L97\",\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\"},{\"url\":\"https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/modules/backups/components/handle-backups-removing.php#L19\",\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\"},{\"url\":\"https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=\u0026sfph_mail=\u0026reponame=\u0026old=3557772%40image-optimization\u0026new=3557772%40image-optimization\u0026sfp_email=\u0026sfph_mail=\",\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\"},{\"url\":\"https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a1a00374-e9d6-46f9-a28c-cb7768505787?source=cve\",\"source\":\"security@wordfence.com\"}]}}"
}
}
Loading…
Loading…
Experimental. This forecast is provided for visualization only and may change without notice. Do not use it for operational decisions.
Forecast uses a logistic model when the trend is rising, or an exponential decay model when the trend is falling. Fitted via linearized least squares.
Sightings
| Author | Source | Type | Date | Other |
|---|
Nomenclature
- Seen: The vulnerability was mentioned, discussed, or observed by the user.
- Confirmed: The vulnerability has been validated from an analyst's perspective.
- Published Proof of Concept: A public proof of concept is available for this vulnerability.
- Exploited: The vulnerability was observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Patched: The vulnerability was observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not exploited: The vulnerability was not observed as exploited by the user who reported the sighting.
- Not confirmed: The user expressed doubt about the validity of the vulnerability.
- Not patched: The vulnerability was not observed as successfully patched by the user who reported the sighting.
Loading…
Loading…