WP-Optimize <= 4.5.2 - Authenticated (Author+) Arbitrary File Deletion via 'original-file' Post Meta
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- —
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- None · High · High
- Fix status
- No fix listed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.
Summary
The WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the unscheduled_original_file_deletion function in all versions up to, and including, 4.5.2 This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with author-level access and above, to delete arbitrary files on the server, which can easily lead to remote code execution when the right file is deleted (such as wp-config.php). This is possible because 'original-file' is a public (non-protected) meta key — it does not begin with an underscore — allowing Authors to freely create or modify it on their own attachment posts via the standard Edit Media form or the REST API.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| davidanderson | WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance | up to 4.5.2 | — | No fix listed | CNA |
- WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance Vendordavidanderson Affected up to 4.5.2 Fixed in — No fix listed CNA
Remediation
No fixed version listed by the sources yet.
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-7252
- 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-p78j-pm32-q3pf
References
Other 9
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/cc815ef2-dd02-4faa-b202-dd1552f889db?source=cve
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L1649
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L1649
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L1645
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L1645
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L81
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L81
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3518513/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?old_path=%2Fwp-optimize/tags/4.5.2&new_path=%2Fwp-optimize/tags/4.5.3
More davidanderson vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-09266 UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin <= 1.26.4 - Unauthenticated Authentication Bypass via UpdraftCentral udrpc CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
- TI-2026-07417 All-In-One Security (AIOS) <= 5.4.7 - Unauthenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting via REST API Request Path CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
- TI-2024-10156 UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin 1.23.8 - 1.24.11 - Unauthenticated PHP Object Injection CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2024-06331 Redux Framework 4.4.12 - 4.4.17 - Unauthenticated JSON File Upload to Stored Cross-Site Scripting CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
- TI-2025-43896 Privilege escalation in Redux Framework lets subscribers set roles CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.8
- TI-2026-75997 Stored XSS in European VAT Compliance Assistant for WooCommerce CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.2
Sources
- CVE-2026-7252 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-7252 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- GHSA-p78j-pm32-q3pf · 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