Image Optimizer <= 1.7.4 - Authenticated (Author+) Arbitrary File Deletion via Post Meta Field Injection
Summary
| CVE | CVE-2026-5821 |
|---|---|
| State | PUBLISHED |
| Assigner | Wordfence |
| Source Priority | CVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback |
| Published | 2026-07-02 06:16:14 UTC |
| Updated | 2026-07-02 13:58:56 UTC |
| Description | 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. |
Risk And Classification
Primary CVSS: v3.1 8.1 HIGH from [email protected]
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
EPSS: 0.003540000 probability, percentile 0.274270000 (date 2026-07-04)
Problem Types: CWE-73 | CWE-73 CWE-73 External Control of File Name or Path
| Version | Source | Type | Score | Severity | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | [email protected] | Secondary | 8.1 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H |
| 3.1 | CNA | DECLARED | 8.1 | HIGH | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H |
CVSS v3.1 Breakdown
Attack Vector
NetworkAttack Complexity
LowPrivileges Required
LowUser Interaction
NoneScope
UnchangedConfidentiality
NoneIntegrity
HighAvailability
HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Vendor Declared Affected Products
| Source | Vendor | Product | Version | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CNA | Elemntor | Image Optimizer Optimize Images And Convert To WebP Or AVIF | affected 1.7.4 semver | Not specified |
References
| Reference | Source | Link | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/classes/image/image-bac... | [email protected] | plugins.trac.wordpress.org | |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/classes/image/image-backup.php | [email protected] | plugins.trac.wordpress.org | |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/classes/image/image-met... | [email protected] | plugins.trac.wordpress.org | |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/tags/1.7.3/modules/backups/compone... | [email protected] | plugins.trac.wordpress.org | |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/classes/image/image-meta.php | [email protected] | plugins.trac.wordpress.org | |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset | [email protected] | plugins.trac.wordpress.org | |
| www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/a1a00374-e9d6-46f9-a28c-cb776... | [email protected] | www.wordfence.com | |
| plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/image-optimization/trunk/modules/backups/components/h... | [email protected] | plugins.trac.wordpress.org | |
| CVE Program record | CVE.ORG | www.cve.org | canonical |
| NVD vulnerability detail | NVD | nvd.nist.gov | canonical, analysis |
Vendor Comments And Credit
Discovery Credit
CNA: Dmitrii Ignatyev (en)
Additional Advisory Data
| Source | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| CNA | 2026-07-01T17:26:17.000Z | Disclosed |
There are currently no legacy QID mappings associated with this CVE.