CVE-2026-1557 in WP Responsive Images Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2026
The WP Responsive Images plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Path Traversal in all versions up to, and including, 1.0 via the 'src' parameter. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2026
The WP Responsive Images plugin for WordPress presents a critical path traversal vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-1557 affecting all versions up to and including 1.0. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the plugin's handling of the 'src' parameter, creating a fundamental security flaw that allows attackers to manipulate file paths and access unauthorized system resources. The issue resides in the plugin's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing file operations, enabling malicious actors to craft specially formatted requests that bypass normal file access controls.
This vulnerability operates at the core of file system interaction within the WordPress environment, where the 'src' parameter is processed without sufficient validation mechanisms to prevent directory traversal sequences such as '../' or similar path manipulation techniques. Attackers can exploit this weakness by submitting crafted requests that target sensitive files on the server, potentially accessing configuration files, database credentials, user information, or other confidential data stored within the WordPress installation directory structure. The vulnerability specifically affects the plugin's image processing functionality where it handles file paths for responsive image generation, creating a direct attack vector that bypasses standard WordPress security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2026-1557 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise through the exposure of sensitive configuration data, potential credential theft, and subsequent lateral movement within the compromised environment. The vulnerability affects unauthenticated attackers, meaning that no valid user credentials are required to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous for WordPress installations that are publicly accessible. This weakness can result in unauthorized access to database connection strings, WordPress configuration files, plugin source code, and potentially other system files that may contain additional attack vectors or sensitive information.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Path Traversal and follows patterns commonly associated with the attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1213 Data from Information Repositories. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and output encoding that represents a fundamental security misconfiguration in the plugin's code implementation. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including plugin version updates, input validation patches, and web application firewall rules to block suspicious path traversal patterns. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive security audits of their WordPress installations, review file permissions, and monitor for unusual file access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of proper input validation and the principle of least privilege in web application security design, particularly for plugins that handle file system operations within content management systems.