Unauthenticated Arbitrary File Deletion in ShortPixel Adaptive Images

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-56066 is a vulnerability in the WordPress ShortPixel Adaptive Images Plugin versions 3.11.4 and below that allows unauthenticated attackers to delete arbitrary files on a website.

This means that an attacker does not need to be logged in or have any special permissions to exploit this flaw.

The vulnerability is related to broken access control, classified under OWASP Top 10's A1 category.

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Detection Guidance

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated arbitrary file deletion in the ShortPixel Adaptive Images plugin versions 3.11.4 and below. Detection involves monitoring for unusual file deletion activities or unauthorized requests targeting the plugin's endpoints.

While specific commands are not provided in the available resources, general detection methods include checking web server logs for suspicious HTTP requests that attempt to delete files or access the vulnerable plugin paths.

• Review web server access logs for unusual DELETE or POST requests targeting ShortPixel Adaptive Images plugin files.
• Use file integrity monitoring tools to detect unexpected file deletions in your WordPress installation.
• Employ network monitoring tools to identify abnormal traffic patterns or exploitation attempts related to this vulnerability.

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Impact Analysis

This vulnerability can allow attackers to delete critical files from your website.

Such file deletions could cause your website to malfunction or break entirely.

Because the vulnerability is exploitable without authentication and has a moderate CVSS score of 5.8, it poses a significant risk, especially in mass-exploitation campaigns targeting many websites.

Immediate action is recommended to update the plugin to version 3.11.5 or later to mitigate this risk.

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Compliance Impact

The vulnerability allows unauthenticated arbitrary file deletion, which could lead to website malfunction or data loss. While the provided information does not explicitly mention impacts on compliance with standards such as GDPR or HIPAA, the risk of unauthorized file deletion could potentially affect data integrity and availability, which are important aspects of these regulations.

However, there is no direct information in the provided resources linking this vulnerability to specific compliance violations or regulatory impacts.

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Mitigation Strategies

The primary immediate mitigation step is to update the ShortPixel Adaptive Images plugin to version 3.11.5 or later, which contains the fix for this vulnerability.

If updating is not immediately possible, it is recommended to apply the mitigation rule provided by Patchstack to block attacks targeting this vulnerability.

Additionally, users should seek assistance from their hosting provider or web developer to implement temporary protections until the plugin can be updated.

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