CVE-2019-25217: The SiteGround Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass leading to Remote Code Exe

Q: How do I fix CVE-2019-25217?

speed optimizer: upgrade to 5.0.12. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2019-25217 being exploited?

CVE-2019-25217 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2019-25217 affect?

CVE-2019-25217 affects speed optimizer. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The SiteGround Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass leading to Remote Code Execution and Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 5.0.12 due to incorrect use of an access control attribute on th

Q: How urgent is CVE-2019-25217?

Priority 54/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This month

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2019-25217 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting speed optimizer. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The SiteGround Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass leading to Remote Code Execution and Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 5.0.12 due to incorrect use of an access control attribute on the switch_php function called via the /switch-php REST API route. This allows attackers to include and execute arbitrary files on the server, allowing the execution of any PHP code in those files. This can be us

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.9% (top 42%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-862
Published	2024-10-16
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Wordfence · Vendor: siteground

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-10-16 07:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:31 UTCUpdated Record last modified

siteground speed optimizer UPGRADE

Affected: < 5.0.12

Fixed in: 5.0.12

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy speed-optimizer || rpm -q speed-optimizer || speed-optimizer --version

2. UPGRADE to 5.0.12 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade speed-optimizer

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade speed-optimizer

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2019-25217?

speed optimizer: upgrade to 5.0.12. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2019-25217 being exploited?

CVE-2019-25217 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2019-25217 affect?

CVE-2019-25217 affects speed optimizer. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). The SiteGround Optimizer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to authorization bypass leading to Remote Code Execution and Local File Inclusion in versions up to, and including, 5.0.12 due to incorrect use of an access control attribute on th

How urgent is CVE-2019-25217?

Priority 54/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

WordPress vulnerabilities · PHP vulnerabilities

References

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