Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2026-1557 affects the WP Responsive Images WordPress plugin through version 1.0. An unauthenticated visitor could use a path traversal flaw in the src parameter to read files from the web server. The main business risk is exposure of sensitive configuration or application data. Public sources do not show active exploitation or a named fixed version.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority exposure check for public WordPress properties. The issue is remotely reachable without login and can disclose sensitive server files. If the plugin is present, prioritize removal, disabling, or vendor-guided remediation. No active exploitation is confirmed in the provided sources.
Technical view
The vulnerability is CWE-22 path traversal in WP Responsive Images <= 1.0, reachable over the network without authentication or user interaction. CVSS 3.1 is 7.5: confidentiality impact is high, with no integrity or availability impact stated. References point to image_handler.php, WPResponsiveImages.php, and SBOutputFile.php handling related file output logic.
Likely exposure
Internet-facing WordPress sites running WP Responsive Images version 1.0 or earlier are the likely exposed population. Exposure depends on whether the vulnerable plugin is installed and its file-handling endpoint is reachable. The source bundle does not identify other affected products.
Exploitation context
The flaw can allow arbitrary file read from the server, which may expose credentials, configuration, or sensitive local files. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided data, and no cited source states active exploitation. No public exploit status is established from the provided sources.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports unauthenticated path traversal via src with arbitrary file read impact. The source bundle includes code-location references but does not name a fixed version, patch commit, or exploitation in the wild. Note the affected-version metadata is sparse; rely on the CVE title and description stating all versions up to 1.0.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory WordPress sites for the WP Responsive Images plugin.
- If installed at version 1.0 or earlier, disable or remove it until vendor guidance is available.
- Check Wordfence and WordPress plugin sources for a fixed release or official remediation.
- Restrict public access to vulnerable plugin endpoints where business operations allow.
- Back up the site before plugin removal or configuration changes.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether WP Responsive Images is installed on each WordPress site.
- Record the installed plugin version and compare it to version 1.0 or earlier.
- Review web logs for suspicious src parameter activity and traversal patterns.
- Verify whether plugin files referenced in the CVE are present.
- Monitor vendor and Wordfence advisories for updated fix information.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-22: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2026-1557 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N3.93.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.5HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/22c6f81b-d456-44b9-ba6c-8b207a9ee6e1?source=cveCVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-responsive-images/trunk/SBOutputFile.php#L33CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-responsive-images/trunk/image_handler.php#L28CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-responsive-images/tags/1.0/image_handler.php#L28CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-responsive-images/trunk/WPResponsiveImages.php#L265CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-responsive-images/tags/1.0/WPResponsiveImages.php#L265CVE reference
- https://plugins.trac.wordpress.org/browser/wp-responsive-images/tags/1.0/SBOutputFile.php#L33CVE reference
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.