CVE-2026-54420

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Symlink Attack in LiteSpeed cPanel Plugin

Publication date: 2026-06-14

Last updated on: 2026-06-16

Assigner: MITRE

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.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published

2026-06-14

Last Modified

2026-06-16

Generated

2026-07-04

AI Q&A

2026-06-14

EPSS Evaluated

2026-07-03

NVD

CVE-2026-54420

EUVD

EUVD-2026-36657

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
litespeedtech	litespeed_cpanel_plugin	to 2.4.8 (exc)
litespeedtech	litespeed_whm_plugin	to 5.3.2.0 (exc)

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-61	The product, when opening a file or directory, does not sufficiently account for when the file is a symbolic link that resolves to a target outside of the intended control sphere. This could allow an attacker to cause the product to operate on unauthorized files.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

The vulnerability affects the LiteSpeed cPanel plugin versions before 2.4.8, specifically as distributed in LiteSpeed WHM PlugIn versions before 5.3.2.0. It involves improper handling of symbolic links (symlinks) provided by a user who has FTP or web shell access on a shared hosting server running CloudLinux with CageFS. This mishandling can be exploited by attackers, as was observed in the wild in May 2026.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate this vulnerability, you should upgrade the LiteSpeed cPanel plugin to version 2.4.8 or later, and ensure that the LiteSpeed WHM Plugin is updated to version 5.3.2.0 or later.

Additionally, review and restrict user permissions for FTP and web shell access on shared hosting servers, especially those running CloudLinux/CageFS, to limit the potential for exploitation via symlink mishandling.

Impact Analysis

This vulnerability has a high severity with a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.5, indicating it can have significant impact. Because it allows exploitation through symlink mishandling by users with FTP or web shell access, it can lead to a complete compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. Attackers could potentially access or modify sensitive data, disrupt services, or escalate privileges on a shared hosting server.

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