CVE-2026-54420: LiteSpeed cPanel plugin privilege escalation via symlink following

CVE-2026-54420 · Severity: critical · CVSS 8.5 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2026-06-14

A vulnerability in the LiteSpeed cPanel plugin allows malicious users on a shared hosting server to bypass security restrictions. By using specially crafted file links, an attacker with basic FTP or web shell access can gain unauthorized access to files belonging to other users or the system. This flaw has been actively exploited in the wild to compromise shared hosting environments.

Vendors: LiteSpeed Technologies.

Quick answers

Is CVE-2026-54420 exploited in the wild?
Yes. CVE-2026-54420 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 15 June 2026. Treat it as urgent.
How severe is CVE-2026-54420?
Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 8.5, published 14 June 2026.
Which products and versions are affected?
LiteSpeed Technologies cPanel Plugin before 2.4.8; LiteSpeed Technologies WHM Plugin before 5.3.2.0.
Is there a fix for CVE-2026-54420?
A patch was published on 2026-06-01: Security update released by vendor. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.
How is CVE-2026-54420 attacked?
It is attacked over the network, in a software library.
Am I affected by CVE-2026-54420?
Check whether you run LiteSpeed Technologies cPanel Plugin or LiteSpeed Technologies WHM Plugin at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

Technical details

The LiteSpeed cPanel plugin (versions before 2.4.8) is vulnerable to a symbolic link (symlink) following attack (CWE-61). The vulnerability exists in how the plugin handles files provided by users with FTP or web shell access, specifically in environments using CloudLinux/CageFS. An attacker with low-privileged access can create symlinks that point to sensitive files outside of their restricted environment, potentially leading to a full system compromise or cross-user data theft. This issue was reported as being exploited in the wild in May 2026. The vulnerability is addressed in LiteSpeed cPanel plugin 2.4.8 and LiteSpeed WHM PlugIn 5.3.2.0.

Affected products

  • LiteSpeed cPanel Plugin before 2.4.8
  • LiteSpeed WHM PlugIn before 5.3.2.0

Timeline

  • 2026-05: exploited: Exploited in the wild.
  • 2026-06-01: patched: Security update released by vendor.
  • 2026-06-15: advisory: NVD publication date.

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