CVE-2026-12089

Deferred Deferred - Pending Action

Arbitrary File Read in LWS Optimize WordPress Plugin

Publication date: 2026-06-13

Last updated on: 2026-06-15

Assigner: Wordfence

Description

The LWS Optimize – All-in-One Speed Booster & Cache Tools plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read in versions up to, and including, 3.3.19. This is due to the combine_current_css() function trusting <link rel="stylesheet" href="..."> values harvested from page HTML and converting same-site URLs to absolute filesystem paths before reading them with file_get_contents()/Minify\CSS::add(), without enforcing that the resolved path stay within ABSPATH or have a .css extension. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Editor-level access and above, to read arbitrary files.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

Probability:
Percentile:

Meta Information

Published

2026-06-13

Last Modified

2026-06-15

Generated

2026-07-03

AI Q&A

2026-06-14

EPSS Evaluated

2026-07-02

NVD

CVE-2026-12089

EUVD

EUVD-2026-36635

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
lwsthemes	lws_optimize	to 3.3.19 (inc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-22	The product uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the product does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

Attack-Flow Graph

Compliance Impact

The vulnerability allows authenticated attackers with Editor-level access and above to read arbitrary files on the server due to improper validation of CSS file paths. This arbitrary file read could potentially expose sensitive information stored on the server.

Exposure of sensitive data through this vulnerability could lead to non-compliance with data protection regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA, which require strict controls over access to personal and protected health information.

Therefore, exploitation of this vulnerability may result in unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data, impacting compliance with these common standards and regulations.

Executive Summary

The LWS Optimize – All-in-One Speed Booster & Cache Tools plugin for WordPress has a vulnerability called Arbitrary File Read in versions up to and including 3.3.19.

This vulnerability arises because the combine_current_css() function trusts stylesheet link href values taken from page HTML and converts same-site URLs to absolute filesystem paths before reading them.

However, it does not enforce that the resolved path remains within the WordPress root directory (ABSPATH) or that the file has a .css extension.

As a result, authenticated attackers with Editor-level access or higher can read arbitrary files on the server.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability allows attackers with Editor-level access or above to read arbitrary files on the server.

Such unauthorized file access can lead to exposure of sensitive information, including configuration files, credentials, or other private data stored on the server.

The CVSS score of 4.9 indicates a moderate severity with high confidentiality impact but no impact on integrity or availability.

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