CVE-2026-2732
Improper Capability Check in Enable Media Replace Plugin Allows Unauthorized Data Modification
Publication date: 2026-03-04
Last updated on: 2026-03-04
Assigner: Wordfence
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
| Probability: | |
| Percentile: |
Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| short_pixel_optimizer | enable_media_replace | to 4.1.7 (inc) |
| short_pixel_optimizer | enable_media_replace | From 4.1.3 (inc) |
| short_pixel_optimizer | enable_media_replace | 4.1.8 |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-862 | The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "CVE-2026-2732 is a vulnerability in the Enable Media Replace plugin for WordPress that allows unauthorized modification of media attachments. Specifically, due to an improper capability check in the 'RemoveBackGroundViewController::load' function, authenticated users with Author-level access or higher can replace any attachment with a removed background attachment without proper permission."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'The issue involves insufficient permission validation when loading and replacing media files related to background removal. Attackers could exploit this to manipulate media files they should not have access to.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'The vulnerability was addressed by adding strict permission checks in the plugin code to verify that users have the appropriate rights to upload or replace images associated with a particular author. If the permission check fails, the operation is blocked and an error is shown.'}] [1, 4]
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
This vulnerability can impact you by allowing authenticated users with Author-level permissions or higher to replace media attachments without proper authorization. This could lead to unauthorized modification or deletion of media files on your WordPress site.
Such unauthorized changes could result in loss of original media content, insertion of malicious or inappropriate images, or disruption of website content that relies on media attachments.
The CVSS score of 5.4 (medium severity) reflects the potential for integrity and availability impacts, meaning attackers can alter media files and potentially cause service disruption.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
I don't know
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
[{'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "This vulnerability involves unauthorized modification of media attachments via the Enable Media Replace WordPress plugin, specifically through improper capability checks in the RemoveBackgroundViewController's load functions."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': "To detect exploitation attempts or presence of this vulnerability on your system, you can monitor for unauthorized media replacement activities or suspicious requests targeting the plugin's background removal endpoints."}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'Suggested detection commands or methods include:'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': "Check web server access logs for POST or GET requests to URLs containing 'RemoveBackgroundViewController' or related plugin paths, especially those with parameters like 'attachment_id' or 'key'."}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': "Use grep or similar tools to search logs for suspicious requests, for example: `grep -i 'RemoveBackgroundViewController' /var/log/apache2/access.log`"}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'Audit WordPress media library for unexpected changes or replaced attachments by comparing file timestamps or hashes.'}, {'type': 'list_item', 'content': 'Within WordPress, review user activity logs (if available) for Author-level users performing media replacements.'}, {'type': 'paragraph', 'content': 'No specific built-in commands or automated detection scripts are provided in the available resources.'}] [1, 2, 4]
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
The primary mitigation step is to update the Enable Media Replace plugin to version 4.1.8 or later, where the vulnerability has been fixed by enforcing strict permission checks.
The update includes added permission validation in the RemoveBackgroundViewController and other controllers to ensure only authorized users can replace or modify media attachments.
Additional immediate steps include:
- Restrict Author-level user permissions temporarily if possible, to limit media replacement capabilities.
- Monitor and audit media replacement activities for suspicious behavior.
- Apply WordPress core and plugin security best practices, such as using strong authentication and limiting plugin access.
No alternative patches or workarounds are described in the provided resources besides updating the plugin.