Authenticated file deletion via unvalidated backup paths
Published Jul 2, 2026 · Updated Jul 2, 2026
Arbitrary file deletion in Elementor Image Optimization 1.7.4 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to delete server files. Image_Backup::remove() reads paths from the image_optimizer_metadata attachment post meta and passes them directly to File_System::delete() without constraining them to the uploads directory. Author-level access is sufficient; deletion is limited to files writable by the web server and can cause data loss, site failure, or security degradation.
Summary
What happened
Arbitrary file deletion in Elementor Image Optimization 1.7.4 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to delete server files. Image_Backup::remove() reads paths from the image_optimizer_metadata attachment post meta and passes them directly to File_System::delete() without constraining them to the uploads directory. Author-level access is sufficient; deletion is limited to files writable by the web server and can cause data loss, site failure, or security degradation.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-5821
- Published
- Jul 2, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 2, 2026
- Vendor
- Elementor
- Product
- Image Optimization
- Classifications
- CWE-73, T1485
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 2, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 2, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=0 <=1.7.4
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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