elemntor Image Optimizer Plugin up to 1.7.4 on WordPress Custom Fields Interface Image_Backup::remove file inclusion

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as problematic has been discovered in elemntor Image Optimizer Plugin up to 1.7.4 on WordPress. This vulnerability affects the function Image_Backup::remove of the component Custom Fields Interface. Executing a manipulation can lead to file inclusion. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-5821. The attack can be executed remotely. There is not any exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in elemntor Image Optimizer Plugin up to 1.7.4 on WordPress. This vulnerability affects the function Image_Backup::remove of the component Custom Fields Interface. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a file inclusion vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-73. The product allows user input to control or influence paths or file names that are used in filesystem operations. As an impact it is known to affect integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

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.

The weakness was released by Dmitrii Ignatyev. The advisory is shared for download at wordfence.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-5821 since 04/08/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 1.7.3 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2026-41247). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• WordPress Plugin

Vendor

• elemntor

Name

• Image Optimizer Plugin

Version

• 1.7.0
• 1.7.1
• 1.7.2
• 1.7.3
• 1.7.4

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

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Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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