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Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability · CVE-2026-5821

The Image Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion in versions up to and including 1.7.4.

Published Jul 2, 2026 · catalog updated Oct 28, 2026 · The Image Optimizer plugin

Last checked Oct 28, 2026. A connected source was read within the last 7 days.

Check if you run it

No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2026-5821. EPSS is 0.76%. Act only if a listed version of The Image Optimizer plugin is installed.

Gaps on this record

  • The stored product name is a package slug. The name on this page is taken from the title (The Image Optimizer plugin).
  • No vendor fix or required action is stored. Compare the linked advisory before you change production.
Severity
High8.1
Known exploitation
Not in CISA/VulnCheck KEV
EPSS
0.76%
Remediation
Version ranges on file
Affected products
stated named in the record

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.

Are you affected?

Enter the version you run. The result uses only the ranges stored on this record.

The check returns affected, not affected, or incomplete. It does not guess a version that is missing from the record.

  • stated named in the record<= 1.7.4

How to fix CVE-2026-5821

What to do

Three questions, each answered from this record only. Confirm the vendor advisory before you patch.

Should you patch?

No confirmed exploitation is on record for CVE-2026-5821. EPSS is 0.76%. Act only if a listed version of The Image Optimizer plugin is installed.

Which versions are affected?

Compare what you have installed with named in the record <= 1.7.4. Compare the installed version with the linked vendor advisory before you change production.

What should an analyst verify?

CWE-73. EPSS 0.76%. There is no CISA KEV listing. No Exploit-DB or Metasploit reference is linked. Use the source links for the original advisory.

Technology hubs

WordPress security

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Jul 2, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Detected

    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_

  2. Oct 28, 2026 · NIST NVD

    Updated

    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_

Sources

  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2026-5821

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2026-5821

    30-day exploitation probability 0.76%

    first.org
  • NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2026-5821

    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 deleti

    nvd.nist.gov

References

Freshness

Last verified in this catalog Oct 28, 2026. Significant claims (KEV, EPSS, CVSS, affected ranges) come from the source rows above — open the original publisher for the authoritative advisory.

  • FIRST EPSSOct 28, 2026
  • CVE.orgOct 28, 2026
  • NIST NVDOct 28, 2026