High severity · published May 7, 2026
CVE-2026-7252
WP-Optimize <= 4.5.2 - Authenticated (Author+) Arbitrary File Deletion via 'original-file' Post Meta
8.1
CVSS
1%
EPSS
No
On KEV
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.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H
Attack vector
Network
Complexity
Low
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Scope
Unchanged
Exploitation
Is it being used?
Exploit prediction (EPSS)1.0% · higher than 61% of CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo evidence yet
CISA KEVNot listed
Ransomware campaign useNot known
Affected products
Which versions
WC
WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance · davidanderson
through 4.5.2 · source: vendor
Affected product
WC
WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance
davidanderson
References
NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-7252
CVE.org
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-7252
plugins.trac.wordpress.org
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L1645
plugins.trac.wordpress.org
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L1649
plugins.trac.wordpress.org
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/tags/4.5.2/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L81
plugins.trac.wordpress.org
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L1645
plugins.trac.wordpress.org
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L1649
plugins.trac.wordpress.org
https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-optimize/trunk/includes/class-updraft-smush-manager.php#L81
More from WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance
5.4
CVE-2026-2712
WP-Optimize <= 4.5.0 - Missing Authorization to Authenticated (Subscriber+) Plugin Settings Update and Image Manipulation
