CVE-2021-24377Network attack vector

Remote code execution via archive extraction race

Published Jun 21, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Race condition in Autoptimize before 2.7.8 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted settings archive. The Import Settings handler extracts archive contents before deleting prohibited files, leaving a race window in which an uploaded executable can be requested. Exploitation requires winning that timing window, but successful access runs attacker-controlled code in the WordPress server context.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability1.18%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Race condition in Autoptimize before 2.7.8 allows remote attackers to execute code through a crafted settings archive. The Import Settings handler extracts archive contents before deleting prohibited files, leaving a race window in which an uploaded executable can be requested. Exploitation requires winning that timing window, but successful access runs attacker-controlled code in the WordPress server context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-24377
Published
Jun 21, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Optimizing Matters
Product
Autoptimize
Classifications
CWE-362, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 21, 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=2.7.8 <2.7.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Optimizing Matters · Autoptimizeversion=2.7.8 <2.7.8

Published CVSS scores

8.1WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-362Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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