Feature request: SVGs (again)

  • Unknown's avatar
    stonenick · Member ·

    I know this has been raised (and shut down) numerous times before, but I hoped perhaps it deserved another look.

    WordPress’ long-held stance is that SVGs present security vulnerabilities mainly through malicious embedded javascript. I understand the concern, but surely there are practical ways to mitigate this risk, other than a blanket ban on SVGs.

    Could uploaded SVG files be scanned and sanitised? Ensuring that no resources such as scripts are fetched and event listeners are disabled? This is already possible through plug-ins and self-hosted WP installations.

    Or maybe instead of the SVG being imported through the image library, there could be a dedicated SVG block in the block editor that allows for SVG to be inserted as a code snippet? This approach is allowed on some WP.com competitor platforms.

    I see many websites that look crips sharp with one exception: their site logo. Yes, I know it’s possible (in many themes) to upload a higher-resolution logo for ‘retina’ screens, etc. but SVGs offer much more scope. And they could be used effectively for other things too: like icons, animation, technical diagrams, illustrations and more.

    SVG has been around as an image format since the ’90s, popular on websites since the late 2010s and it remains today the defacto standard for creating resolution-free 2D images that scale and look crisp on all sorts of devices, screen sizes, etc. SVG is supported on all the browsers these days and isn’t going anywhere soon.

    Thank you for listening to my rant :-)

  • darusja · Staff ·

    Hi there!

    Thank you for sharing that. I submitted a feature request with all the details that you described. I do see your point of view and I agree it would be super useful. I imagine that once the feature is added it would be available from a certain level of upgrade as it requires some more attention and infrastructure.

    One of your sites has the Business plan which does allow SVG format along with the plugin (not used currently). If you need it on another site you can consider the upgrade. I am aware that this is not what you expect but just so that we are on the same page :)

  • Unknown's avatar
    stonenick · Member ·

    Hi there @darusja and thanks for the response.

    I know it’s not a simple thing, but I just thought it might be time to look at this again. Really appreciate you raising it.

    BTW, I didn’t even realise that site was on a Business Plan… I think it could be on a Premium tier. Looking at that now. Thanks!

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