CVE-2026-25387: Elementor Image Optimizer Auth Bypass

CVE-2026-25387 Overview

CVE-2026-25387 is a missing authorization vulnerability in the Image Optimizer by Elementor WordPress plugin. The flaw affects all versions up to and including 1.7.1. The plugin fails to enforce proper access control checks, allowing authenticated users with low privileges to invoke functionality that should be restricted. The vulnerability is classified under [CWE-862] (Missing Authorization) and is exploitable over the network with low complexity. Successful exploitation can impact availability of the affected WordPress site without requiring user interaction.

Critical Impact

Authenticated low-privileged attackers can exploit incorrectly configured access control security levels in the Image Optimizer plugin to perform unauthorized actions affecting site availability.

Affected Products

• Image Optimizer by Elementor (WordPress plugin)
• All versions from n/a through 1.7.1
• WordPress sites with the vulnerable plugin installed and activated

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-19 - CVE-2026-25387 published to NVD
• 2026-04-28 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-25387

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability stems from broken access control within the Image Optimizer by Elementor plugin. The plugin exposes functionality that lacks proper capability or permission verification before execution. Authenticated users with minimal privileges, such as subscribers, can reach code paths intended for higher-privileged roles like administrators or editors.

This class of flaw, tracked as [CWE-862], occurs when an application does not perform an authorization check when a user attempts an action. In WordPress plugins, this typically manifests as missing current_user_can() checks or absent nonce verification on AJAX handlers and REST API endpoints.

The Patchstack advisory confirms the issue affects plugin versions through 1.7.1 and is categorized as a broken access control vulnerability. Exploitation produces a limited availability impact without compromising confidentiality or integrity of stored data.

Root Cause

The root cause is the absence of access control security checks on one or more plugin endpoints or actions. The plugin registers handlers that execute privileged operations without validating whether the requesting user holds the required capability. This violates the principle of least privilege within the WordPress permissions model.

Attack Vector

An attacker requires an authenticated session with low privileges on the target WordPress site. The attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to the vulnerable plugin endpoint, bypassing the intended authorization boundary. The request triggers an action the user should not be permitted to execute. No user interaction is required beyond the attacker's own authenticated session.

The vulnerability manifests in plugin action handlers that do not call WordPress capability checks before performing their operations. See the Patchstack WordPress Plugin Vulnerability advisory for additional technical details.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-25387

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected HTTP POST requests from low-privileged WordPress accounts to plugin AJAX endpoints under /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php referencing image-optimization actions
• Unusual REST API calls targeting the Image Optimizer plugin namespace from non-administrative users
• Spikes in plugin-related requests followed by site availability issues or error responses

Detection Strategies

• Review WordPress access logs for requests to Image Optimizer plugin endpoints originating from subscriber-level or contributor-level accounts
• Monitor for anomalous parameter values in action query parameters tied to the plugin
• Audit user role activity for behavior inconsistent with assigned permissions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable detailed WordPress logging through a security plugin to capture authenticated request metadata
• Forward web server and application logs to a centralized analytics platform for correlation and retention
• Alert on repeated unauthorized action attempts from the same authenticated session

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-25387

Immediate Actions Required

• Update Image Optimizer by Elementor to a version newer than 1.7.1 once the vendor publishes a fixed release
• Audit existing WordPress user accounts and remove unused or untrusted low-privileged accounts
• Restrict new user registrations on the site if not required for business operations

Patch Information

The vendor advisory hosted by Patchstack indicates the vulnerability is present through version 1.7.1. Administrators should consult the Patchstack WordPress Plugin Vulnerability entry for the latest fixed version information and apply the update through the WordPress plugin manager.

Workarounds

• Deactivate the Image Optimizer by Elementor plugin until a patched version is installed
• Apply a web application firewall rule that blocks requests to plugin endpoints from non-administrative authenticated sessions
• Temporarily disable user registration and reduce the privileges of existing low-trust accounts

# Disable the vulnerable plugin via WP-CLI until a patch is applied
wp plugin deactivate image-optimization

# Verify the plugin status
wp plugin status image-optimization