CVE-2021-24376: Autoptimize < 2.7.8 - Arbitrary File Upload via "Import Settings"

Severity: critical (CVSS 9.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 3.7% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: yes
Published: 2021-06-21 · updated 2026-06-17
Weakness: CWE-434

Description

The Autoptimize WordPress plugin before 2.7.8 attempts to delete malicious files (such as .php) form the uploaded archive via the "Import Settings" feature, after its extraction. However, the extracted folders are not checked and it is possible to upload a zip which contained a directory with PHP file in it and then it is not removed from the disk. It is a bypass of CVE-2020-24948 which allows sending a PHP file via the "Import Settings" functionality to achieve Remote Code Execution.

Affected products

Autoptimize: before 2.7.8 — fixed in 2.7.8

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Autoptimize 2.7.8. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

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