# CVE-2026-1246: ShortPixel Image Optimizer <= 6.4.2 - Authenticated (Editor+) Arbitrary File Read via 'loadFile' Parameter

> Authenticated editors can read arbitrary server files via path traversal in ShortPixel Image Optimizer, potentially exposing sensitive credentials.

- **Severity:** Medium 4.9 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 5 Feb 2026
- **Updated:** 8 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-m3h6-h8v2-vr8w

## What is CVE-2026-1246?

CVE-2026-1246 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in ShortPixel Image Optimizer – Optimize Images, Convert WebP & AVIF, published on 5 Feb 2026. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

The ShortPixel Image Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Arbitrary File Read via path traversal in the 'loadFile' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 6.4.2 due to insufficient path validation and sanitization in the 'loadLogFile' AJAX action. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Editor-level access and above, to read the contents of arbitrary files on the server, which can contain sensitive information such as database credentials and authentication keys.

Weakness: CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-1246?


## How do I fix CVE-2026-1246?

No fix has been published for CVE-2026-1246 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2026-1246 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-1246 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2026-1246 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2026-1246 is a medium-severity path traversal vulnerability in ShortPixel Image Optimizer – Optimize Images, Convert WebP & AVIF, published on 5 Feb 2026. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-1246 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: ShortPixel Image Optimizer – Optimize Images, Convert WebP & AVIF. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-1246/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-1246/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-1246
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-1246
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2026-1246

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-1246/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.