CVE-2021-24209Network attack vector

Authenticated RCE via weak cache path validation

Published Apr 5, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper input validation in Automattic WP Super Cache before 1.7.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via the settings page. The Cache Location setting performs weak $cache_path validation while direct access to wp-cache-config.php permits injected web-shell content. Administrative authentication is required, and successful exploitation gives code execution in the WordPress server context with resulting confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability27.67%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Automattic WP Super Cache before 1.7.2 allows remote authenticated users to execute code via the settings page. The Cache Location setting performs weak $cache_path validation while direct access to wp-cache-config.php permits injected web-shell content. Administrative authentication is required, and successful exploitation gives code execution in the WordPress server context with resulting confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-24209
Published
Apr 5, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Automattic
Product
WP Super Cache
Classifications
CWE-94, CWE-20, T1505.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 5, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=0 <1.7.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Automattic · WP Super Cacheversion=0 <1.7.2

Published CVSS scores

7.2GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code (Code Injection)
CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1505.003Server Software Component: Web Shell

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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