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)
Source GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 8.1 High.
Data as of 27 Oct 2026, 00:07 UTC
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
Weaponised: 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 26 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– |
Description
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.
References
- nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-7252 (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/tags/4.5.2/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/trunk/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/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)
- wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/cc815ef2-dd02-4faa-b202-dd1552f889db?source=cve (opens in a new tab)