CVE-2026-7252: WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance · Path Traversal
Affects WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performanceSource CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.1 High.
Data as of 30 Oct 2026, 11:52 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 61% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 7 May 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 30 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| davidandersonWP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
Until a fix is available, restrict author-level user permissions where possible and monitor for suspicious file deletion activity related to the plugin. Avoid using the plugin versions up to 4.5.2 in environments where author-level users cannot be fully trusted. Follow updates from the plugin vendor for an official fix.
Description
A path traversal vulnerability (CWE-22) exists in the WP-Optimize WordPress plugin up to version 4.5.2, allowing authenticated users with author-level access or higher to delete arbitrary files on the server. This occurs due to insufficient validation of the 'original-file' meta key in the unscheduled_original_file_deletion function. Because the meta key is public and modifiable by authors, attackers can exploit this to delete critical files such as wp-config.php, potentially leading to remote code execution. The vulnerability has a high severity with a CVSS score of 8.1. No official patch or remediation guidance is currently available from the vendor. No known exploits are reported in the wild at this time.
References
- wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/cc815ef2-dd02-4faa-b202-dd1552f889db?source=cve (opens in a new tab)
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php (opens in a new tab)
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php (opens in a new tab)
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php (opens in a new tab)
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php (opens in a new tab)
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php (opens in a new tab)
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php (opens in a new tab)
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset/3518513/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php (opens in a new tab)
- plugins.trac.wordpress.org/changeset?old_path=%2Fwp-optimize/tags/4.5.2&new_path=%2Fwp-optimize/tags/4.5.3 (opens in a new tab)