# CVE-2026-97246: ShortPixel Image Optimizer PHP object injection

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-97246-subscriber-php-object-injection-in-shortpixel-image-optimizer-6-5  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-30. Updated: 2026-09-30  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-97246 · Severity: medium · CVSS 4.9 · Published 2026-09-30

ShortPixel Image Optimizer is a WordPress plugin that compresses and optimizes images on websites. A PHP object injection vulnerability in versions up to 6.5.5 allows subscriber-level users to execute arbitrary code on the server, potentially compromising the entire website and its data.

Technologies: [ShortPixel Image Optimizer](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/shortpixel-image-optimizer). Vendors: [ShortPixel](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/shortpixel).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-97246 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-97246 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-97246?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 4.9, published 30 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** ShortPixel Image Optimizer up to 6.5.5.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-97246?** A patch was published on 2026-09-24: version 6.5.6 released Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-97246 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-97246?** Check whether you run ShortPixel Image Optimizer at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

PHP object injection in the ShortPixel Image Optimizer WordPress plugin (versions ≤6.5.5) allows authenticated subscribers to manipulate object deserialization and execute arbitrary PHP code on the server. The vulnerability requires subscriber privileges and is resolved in version 6.5.6.

## Affected products

- ShortPixel Image Optimizer up to 6.5.5

## Timeline

- 2026-09-30: disclosed
- 2026-09-24: patched: version 6.5.6 released

## References

- [https://wordpress.org/plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins)
- [https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/shortpixel-image-optimiser/vulnerability/wordpress-shortpixel-image-optimizer-plugin-6-5-5-php-object-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve](https://patchstack.com/database/wordpress/plugin/shortpixel-image-optimiser/vulnerability/wordpress-shortpixel-image-optimizer-plugin-6-5-5-php-object-injection-vulnerability?_s_id=cve)

## Related threats

- [ShortPixel Image Optimizer PHP object injection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-17086-shortpixel-image-optimizer-php-object-injection)
- [ShortPixel Image Optimizer PHP object injection](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-39471-shortpixel-image-optimizer-php-object-injection)