Autoptimize <= 3.1.14 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'ao_post_preload' Meta Value
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Cross-site scripting
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · None
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-79.
Summary
The Autoptimize plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'ao_post_preload' meta value in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.14. This is due to insufficient input sanitization in the `ao_metabox_save()` function and missing output escaping when the value is rendered into a `<link>` tag in `autoptimizeImages.php`. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page, granted the "Image optimization" or "Lazy-load images" setting is enabled in the plugin configuration.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| optimizingmatters | Autoptimize | up to 3.1.14 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- Autoptimize Vendoroptimizingmatters Affected up to 3.1.14 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-2352
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-jph4-mv6f-wg9x
References
Other 8
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/5f3f9891-710e-49e4-b388-aa6d99c01840?source=cve
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autoptimize/tags/3.1.14/classes/autoptimizeMetabox.php#L276
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autoptimize/tags/3.1.14/classes/autoptimizeImages.php#L804
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autoptimize/tags/3.1.14/classes/autoptimizeImages.php#L938
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autoptimize/trunk/classes/autoptimizeMetabox.php#L276
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/autoptimize/trunk/classes/autoptimizeImages.php#L804
- https://github.com/futtta/autoptimize/commit/60d1e487e536a97ae317784f8aeaf0d2e93cd717
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?sfp_email=&sfph_mail=&reponame=&old=3482530%40autoptimize&new=3482530%40autoptimize&sfp_email=&sfph_mail=
More optimizingmatters vulnerabilities
- TI-2022-03722 Autoptimize < 3.1.0 - Sensitive Data Disclosure CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.3
- TI-2026-12621 Autoptimize <= 3.1.15.1 - Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting via REQUEST_URI Path CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
- TI-2026-02062 Autoptimize <= 3.1.14 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Lazy-loaded Image Attributes CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.4
- TI-2025-12251 Autoptimize <= 3.1.13 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.4
- TI-2026-65864 Autoptimize <= 3.1.15.1 - Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Comment Author Name CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 5.4
Sources
- CVE-2026-2352 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-2352 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-jph4-mv6f-wg9x · GitHub Advisory Database · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences