PHP Image Cache Security & Risk Analysis

wordpress.org/plugins/php-image-cache

This plugin cache images with PHP and does not depend on your server settings like other cahce plugin does.

20 active installs v1.1.2 PHP + WP 2.8.1+ Updated Mar 11, 2012
cahceimagesphp
85
A · Safe
CVEs total0
Unpatched0
Last CVENever
Safety Verdict

Is PHP Image Cache Safe to Use in 2026?

Generally Safe

Score 85/100

PHP Image Cache has no known CVEs and is actively maintained. It's a solid choice for most WordPress installations.

No known CVEs Updated 14yr ago
Risk Assessment

The "php-image-cache" plugin v1.1.2 exhibits a strong security posture based on the provided static analysis. It impressively demonstrates no dangerous functions, all SQL queries using prepared statements, and all outputs properly escaped. The absence of AJAX handlers, REST API routes, shortcodes, and cron events significantly limits the plugin's attack surface to zero directly exposed entry points. Furthermore, the vulnerability history is clean, with no known CVEs, indicating a well-maintained or less scrutinized codebase.

However, a critical concern arises from the taint analysis, which identified one flow with an unsanitized path. While this flow did not reach critical or high severity in the analysis, it represents a potential weakness where user-supplied input could be used to construct a file path without adequate sanitization, potentially leading to directory traversal or unintended file access. The single file operation, in conjunction with this unsanitized path flow, warrants careful scrutiny. Despite the positive indicators like prepared statements and proper output escaping, this single taint flow prevents a perfect score and suggests a specific area for improvement.

In conclusion, the plugin follows many best security practices, particularly regarding data handling and output. The lack of known vulnerabilities is a significant positive. The primary weakness lies in the identified unsanitized path flow, which, while not currently exploited or highly severe, represents a tangible security risk that should be addressed. The plugin's strengths are in its robust internal data handling, but its weakness lies in a specific pathway that could be vulnerable to path manipulation.

Key Concerns

  • Flow with unsanitized path
  • File operations present
  • No nonce checks
  • No capability checks
Vulnerabilities
None known

PHP Image Cache Security Vulnerabilities

No known vulnerabilities — this is a good sign.
Code Analysis
Analyzed Mar 16, 2026

PHP Image Cache Code Analysis

Dangerous Functions
0
Raw SQL Queries
0
0 prepared
Unescaped Output
0
0 escaped
Nonce Checks
0
Capability Checks
0
File Operations
1
External Requests
0
Bundled Libraries
0
Data Flows
1 unsanitized

Data Flow Analysis

1 flows1 with unsanitized paths
<image> (image.php:0)
Source (user input) Sink (dangerous op) Sanitizer Transform Unsanitized Sanitized
Attack Surface

PHP Image Cache Attack Surface

Entry Points0
Unprotected0
WordPress Hooks 2
filterthe_contentphp-image-cache.php:54
filterwp_get_attachment_urlphp-image-cache.php:91
Maintenance & Trust

PHP Image Cache Maintenance & Trust

Maintenance Signals

WordPress version tested3.3.2
Last updatedMar 11, 2012
PHP min version
Downloads6K

Community Trust

Rating0/100
Number of ratings0
Active installs20
Developer Profile

PHP Image Cache Developer Profile

Tobias Nyholm

5 plugins · 310 total installs

84
trust score
Avg Security Score
85/100
Avg Patch Time
30 days
View full developer profile
Detection Fingerprints

How We Detect PHP Image Cache

Patterns used to identify this plugin on WordPress sites during automated security audits and web crawling.

Asset Fingerprints

HTML / DOM Fingerprints

Shortcode Output
<img src='image.php?path=
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about PHP Image Cache