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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2026-48172

CriticalExploitedPublic exploit

LiteSpeed User-End cPanel Plugin before 2.4.5 allows privilege escalation (possibly to root), as exploited in the wild in May 2026.

Published May 21, 2026 · Updated Oct 7, 2026 · Also known as EUVD-2026-31204, GHSA-fxrh-cwjh-m33v

Key Facts

Patch immediately
  • CVE-2026-48172 is a critical-severity vulnerability (CVSS 10.0 v4) affecting Litespeed Cpanel Plugin (Litespeedtech), Litespeed Whm Plugin (Litespeedtech), WHM Plugin/cPanel Plugin.
  • It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since May 21, 2026 and is known to be used in ransomware campaigns. Public exploit code is available.
  • EPSS estimates a 1.0% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
  • Fixed versions are available, including Litespeed Cpanel Plugin 2.4.5, Litespeed Cpanel Plugin 2.4.7, Litespeed Whm Plugin 5.3.1.0.
  • Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v4

10.0

CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:H/SI:H/SA:H/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

1.0%

Exploited in the wild

Yes

4 catalog listings, used by ransomware

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2026-48172 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

LiteSpeed User-End cPanel Plugin before 2.4.5 allows privilege escalation (possibly to root), as exploited in the wild in May 2026. Detection is best done via a command line of grep -rE "cpanel_jsonapi_func=redisAble" /var/cpanel/logs /usr/local/cpanel/logs/ 2>/dev/null in Bash. If you get no output, you have not been hit with exploitation of the vulnerability. If there is output, we recommend you examine the IP addresses in the list, determine if they are valid IP addresses, and if not, block them. To determine damage done, examine the system logs for use by the detected IP addresses. The issue is related to mishandling of Redis enable/disable features. The recommended minimum version is 2.4.7.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

CatalogAddedRemediation dueRansomware use
CISA KEVMay 26, 2026May 29, 2026Not reported
Industry KEV feedMay 21, 2026May 29, 2026Known
CIRCL KEVMay 26, 2026May 29, 2026Not reported
ENISA EUVDMay 26, 2026n/aNot reported

Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Affected Products

5 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
Litespeed Cpanel PluginLitespeedtech>= 2.32.4.7
Litespeed Whm PluginLitespeedtechSee advisory5.3.1.0
WHM Plugin/cPanel Plugin>= 2.32.4.7

Patched Releases

Litespeed Cpanel Plugin

2.4.5, 2.4.7

Litespeed Whm Plugin

5.3.1.0

WHM Plugin/cPanel Plugin

2.4.7, 5.3.1.0

Timeline

  1. Publicly disclosed

    May 21, 2026

  2. Added to Industry KEV feed

    May 21, 2026

  3. Added to CISA KEV

    May 26, 2026

  4. Added to CIRCL KEV

    May 26, 2026

  5. Added to ENISA EUVD

    May 26, 2026

  6. Last updated

    Oct 7, 2026

Weakness Type

  • CWE-266 Incorrect Privilege Assignment

References

3 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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