CVE-2026-1246

ShortPixel Image Optimizer <= 6.4.2 - Authenticated (Editor+) Arbitrary File Read via 'loadFile' Parameter

2026-02-04 18:35
0N0ise

Strategic Overview

Status
Patched in 6.4.3
Affected Plugin
ShortPixel Image Optimizer – Optimize Images, Convert WebP & AVIF
Affected Version
<= 6.4.2
CVSS
4.9Medium
Weakness type
CWE-22 · Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
CVE
CVE-2026-1246
View all ShortPixel Image Optimizer – Optimize Images, Convert WebP & AVIF vulnerabilities

At a glance

CVE-2026-1246 is a medium-severity Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability in the ShortPixel Image Optimizer WordPress plugin, affecting versions <= 6.4.2. It carries a CVSS score of 4.9 (reachable over the network; low attack complexity; high confidentiality impact). Exploitation requires an authenticated account at Editor level or above. The issue is fixed in version 6.4.3; sites on affected versions should update now. Disclosed February 2026, reported by 0N0ise.

Vulnerability Overview

The ShortPixel Image Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read via path traversal in the 'loadFile' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 6.4.2 due to insufficient path validation and sanitization in the 'loadLogFile' AJAX action. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Editor-level access and above, to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information such as database credentials and authentication keys.

Technical Analysis

The vector marks this flaw as remotely reachable over the network, with low attack complexity — no special timing or configuration is needed, and no interaction from a victim user. A successful exploit has high impact on confidentiality.

CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')

ShortPixel Image Optimizer <= 6.4.2 carries this weakness at loadFile, and reaching it takes an account at Editor level or above. Path traversal happens when user-controlled text is used to build a filesystem path without being constrained to an intended directory, so sequences like ../ walk the resolved path somewhere else.

Depending on the operation, it means reading files outside the intended folder — wp-config.php being the usual target — or writing to and deleting paths the web server can touch. For ShortPixel Image Optimizer the fix is 6.4.3: builds <= 6.4.2 are affected, anything from 6.4.3 onward is not.

Remediation

Update to version 6.4.3, or a newer patched version

How does WordSec protect against this?

An attacker needs Editor access first, so the firewall sees the attempt as traffic from a logged-in account: WordSec's web application firewall inspects request payloads before WordPress loads them. None of that substitutes for the fix: ShortPixel Image Optimizer 6.4.3 closes this, and updating the plugin is the step that ends it.

  • Firewall
  • Alerts

External References

https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-1246https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/03cb41d2-67c8-457f-8d85-7aede8e12d44https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-1246

Related records

Vulnerability data © Defiant, Inc., provided under the Wordfence Intelligence T&C