The Autoptimize plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'ao_post_preload' meta value in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.14. This is due to insufficient input sanitization in the `ao_metabox_save()` function and missing output escaping when the value is rendered into a `<link>` tag in `autoptimizeImages.php`. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page, granted the "Image optimization" or "Lazy-load images" setting is enabled in the plugin configuration.
History

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:15:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'partial'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}


Mon, 23 Mar 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Optimizingmatters
Optimizingmatters autooptimize
Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress
Vendors & Products Optimizingmatters
Optimizingmatters autooptimize
Wordpress
Wordpress wordpress

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 05:30:00 +0000

Type Values Removed Values Added
Description The Autoptimize plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Stored Cross-Site Scripting via the 'ao_post_preload' meta value in all versions up to, and including, 3.1.14. This is due to insufficient input sanitization in the `ao_metabox_save()` function and missing output escaping when the value is rendered into a `<link>` tag in `autoptimizeImages.php`. This makes it possible for authenticated attackers, with Contributor-level access and above, to inject arbitrary web scripts in pages that will execute whenever a user accesses an injected page, granted the "Image optimization" or "Lazy-load images" setting is enabled in the plugin configuration.
Title Autoptimize <= 3.1.14 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via 'ao_post_preload' Meta Value
Weaknesses CWE-79
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 6.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N'}


cve-icon MITRE

Status: PUBLISHED

Assigner: Wordfence

Published:

Updated: 2026-03-25T13:42:29.084Z

Reserved: 2026-02-11T16:37:03.973Z

Link: CVE-2026-2352

cve-icon Vulnrichment

Updated: 2026-03-25T13:42:25.778Z

cve-icon NVD

Status : Awaiting Analysis

Published: 2026-03-21T00:16:25.873

Modified: 2026-03-23T14:32:02.800

Link: CVE-2026-2352

cve-icon Redhat

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