CVE-2026-104755 Details
Description
The WP Compress – Instant Performance & Speed Optimization plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Privilege Escalation in all versions up to, and including, 7.25.00 The vulnerability exists because the `start_comms` dispatcher (`wps_ic_comms::start_comms`), hooked on every front-end request, gates access only by comparing the caller-supplied `apikey` parameter against the stored plugin API key with no WordPress capability check and no nonce verification, then passes the unvalidated `group`, `setting`, and `value` parameters directly to `change_setting()`, which writes them into the `WPS_IC_SETTINGS` option without an allow-list. This makes it possible for unauthenticated attackers to write arbitrary permission keys into the plugin's settings, causing `wps_ic_users::checkAndAddCaps()` to grant any WordPress role — including Subscriber — the `manage_wpc_settings` capability and thereby achieve plugin-administrator-equivalent control over the plugin's optimization, CDN, and critical-CSS surfaces. The API key required to pass the authorization check can itself be obtained without authentication via the `wpc_send_critical_remote` nopriv AJAX action: when the external critical-CSS service returns an `apiResults` field, `initCritical()` echoes the stored plugin API key back to the caller in a `wp_send_json_success` response, completing the exploit chain entirely without a WordPress login.
A privilege escalation vulnerability has been identified in the WP Compress – Instant Performance & Speed Optimization plugin for WordPress, affecting all versions through 7.25.00. The issue arises in the `start_comms` dispatcher, which is activated on every front-end request. This dispatcher only verifies the caller-supplied `apikey` against the stored plugin API key, lacking any WordPress capability check or nonce verification. It then transmits the unvalidated `group`, `setting`, and `value` parameters directly to the `change_setting()` function, which writes them into the `WPS_IC_SETTINGS` option without an allow-list. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated attackers to inject arbitrary permission keys into the plugin's settings. Consequently, the `wps_ic_users::checkAndAddCaps()` function can be exploited to grant any WordPress role, including Subscriber, the `manage_wpc_settings` capability, effectively providing control equivalent to a plugin administrator over the plugin's optimization, CDN, and critical-CSS features. The required API key can be obtained without authentication through the `wpc_send_critical_remote` nopriv AJAX action, completing the exploit chain without a WordPress login.
Users are advised to update the WP Compress – Instant Performance & Speed Optimization plugin to version 7.26.00 or later.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
CVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
Volerion
Assessed Oct 16, 2026CISA-ADP
Assessed Oct 16, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-269 | Improper Privilege Management | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| WP Compress | <= 7.25.00 (semver) |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
2 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Oct 16, 2026 | New CVE Received | [email protected] |
Volerion