CVE-2026-54420

Published Jun 14, 2026

Last updated 5 hours ago

Overview

AI description

Automated description summarized from trusted sources.

CVE-2026-54420 identifies a vulnerability within the LiteSpeed cPanel plugin, affecting versions prior to 2.4.8, which are included in LiteSpeed WHM PlugIn versions before 5.3.2.0. This flaw stems from the plugin's inadequate handling of symbolic links (symlinks). The vulnerability can be leveraged by a user possessing FTP or web shell access on a shared hosting server that utilizes CloudLinux/CageFS. Through the manipulation of symlinks, an attacker could potentially access or execute arbitrary files located outside of their designated directories, a scenario categorized as a path traversal vulnerability (CWE-61). This issue was actively exploited in May 2026.

Description: LiteSpeed cPanel plugin before 2.4.8 (as distributed in LiteSpeed WHM PlugIn before 5.3.2.0) mishandles symlinks provided by a user with FTP or web shell access on a shared hosting server running CloudLinux/CageFS, as exploited in the wild in May 2026.
Source: cve@mitre.org
NVD status: Modified
Products: litespeed_cpanel_plugin, litespeed_whm_plugin

Risk scores

CVSS 3.1

Type: Secondary
Base score: 8.5
Impact score: 6
Exploitability score: 1.8
Vector string: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Severity: HIGH

Known exploits

Data from CISA

Vulnerability name: LiteSpeed cPanel Plugin UNIX Symbolic Link (Symlink) Following Vulnerability
Exploit added on: Jun 15, 2026
Exploit action due: Jun 18, 2026
Required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.

Weaknesses

cve@mitre.org: CWE-61

Hype score is a measure of social media activity compared against trending CVEs from the past 12 months. Max score 100.

Hype score: 6

Configurations

[
  {
    "nodes": [
      {
        "cpeMatch": [
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:litespeedtech:litespeed_cpanel_plugin:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "matchCriteriaId": "6B1876E6-E6BF-4D4F-8BF7-5555F32A9787",
            "versionEndExcluding": "2.4.8",
            "vulnerable": true
          },
          {
            "criteria": "cpe:2.3:a:litespeedtech:litespeed_whm_plugin:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*",
            "matchCriteriaId": "63B844E5-0AFC-4E5B-81AA-AC01FA8FA29C",
            "versionEndExcluding": "5.3.2.0",
            "vulnerable": true
          }
        ],
        "negate": false,
        "operator": "OR"
      }
    ]
  }
]

LiteSpeed cPanel Plugin Privilege Escalation Vulnerability•CVE-2026-48172

References

Sources include official advisories and independent security research.