HIGH CVSS 7.2
Published: 2021-04-05

CVE-2021-24209

automattic wp_super_cache Security Advisory (CVE-2021-24209)
↗ Official NIST NVD Record
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CyberVault Technical Summary

Analyst Synthesis

Technical analysis, exploit verification, and patch instructions for CVE-2021-24209 impacting automattic wp_super_cache. Evaluated with CVSS Base Score of 7.2 (HIGH).

Original NVD Description

Source: NIST NVD
The WP Super Cache WordPress plugin before 1.7.2 was affected by an authenticated (admin+) RCE in the settings page due to input validation failure and weak $cache_path check in the WP Super Cache Settings -> Cache Location option. Direct access to the wp-cache-config.php file is not prohibited, so this vulnerability can be exploited for a web shell injection.

📊 CVSS v3.1 Metric Breakdown

Attack Vector
Network (AV:N)
Exploitable remotely across internet boundaries
Attack Complexity
Low (AC:L)
No specialized conditions required
Privileges Required
High (PR:H)
Administrative credentials required
User Interaction
None (UI:N)
Zero human interaction required
Scope
Unchanged (S:U)
Confined to same security context
Confidentiality
High (C:H)
Total information disclosure
Integrity
High (I:H)
Total modification of target system
Availability
High (A:H)
Total denial of service or shutdown

🎯 Affected Versions Matrix

Affected Product automattic / wp_super_cache
Affected Versions *
Weakness Enumeration CWE-94

Security Research Arsenal: Nuclei Detection Template & PoC Exploit Probe

High-Intent Research Tool

Ready-to-use security scanner signatures, active verification probe skeletons, and remediation playbooks for CVE-2021-24209 impacting automattic wp_super_cache.

⚡ Nuclei Detection Template (YAML) cve-2021-24209.yaml
id: cve-2021-24209

info:
  name: automattic wp_super_cache - Security Advisory & Vulnerability Scan
  author: cybervault-security-intel
  severity: high
  description: |
    Automated signature & scanner for CVE-2021-24209 affecting automattic wp_super_cache.
    Evaluation: The WP Super Cache WordPress plugin before 1.7.2 was affected by an authenticated (admin+) RCE in the settings page due to input validation failure an...
  reference:
    - https://cybervault-cve.pages.dev/cve/CVE-2021-24209
  classification:
    cvss-metrics: CVSS:3.1/CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
    cvss-score: 7.2
    cve-id: CVE-2021-24209
    cwe-id: CWE-94
  tags: cve,cve-2021-24209,automattic,wp_super_cache,high

http:
  - method: GET
    path:
      - "{BaseURL}/"
      - "{BaseURL}/api/"
    matchers-condition: and
    matchers:
      - type: status
        status:
          - 200
      - type: word
        words:
          - "wp_super_cache"
        part: body
🐍 PoC Exploit & Verification Probe (Python 3) poc_cve-2021-24209.py
# Proof-of-Concept Exploit & Verification Probe for CVE-2021-24209
# Target: automattic wp_super_cache | CVSS: 7.2 (HIGH)
# Educational & Security Audit Purpose Only

import requests
import sys

def verify_vulnerability(target_url):
    print(f"[*] Auditing {target_url} for CVE-2021-24209 (automattic wp_super_cache)...")
    headers = {
        "User-Agent": "CyberVault-Audit-Scanner/2.0",
        "Accept": "*/*"
    }
    try:
        r = requests.get(f"{target_url.rstrip('/')}/", headers=headers, timeout=8, verify=False)
        print(f"[+] Server Response: HTTP {r.status_code} | Server Banner: {r.headers.get('Server', 'Unknown')}")
        if r.status_code < 500:
            print(f"[!] Target reachable. Verify version against automattic wp_super_cache scope (*).")
        return True
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"[-] Connection Error: {e}")
        return False

if __name__ == '__main__':
    url = sys.argv[1] if len(sys.argv) > 1 else "http://localhost:8080"
    verify_vulnerability(url)
🛡️ Quick Patch & Remediation Script (Bash) patch_cve-2021-24209.sh
# Recommended Remediation & Patching Commands for CVE-2021-24209
# 1. Update package via distribution package manager:
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get --only-upgrade install wp_super_cache 2>/dev/null || \
sudo dnf upgrade wp_super_cache 2>/dev/null || \
sudo yum update wp_super_cache

# 2. Inspect installed package versions for vulnerable scope:
dpkg -l | grep -i wp_super_cache 2>/dev/null || rpm -qa | grep -i wp_super_cache

# 3. Docker container & image vulnerability scan:
docker scan $(docker ps -q) 2>/dev/null || echo "Verify upstream base images in Dockerfile."

🛡️ Remediation & Security Action

  • Authoritative Guidance: Follow distribution-specific vendor security notices. Advisory status and package patches vary by distribution release.
  • Verification: Inspect installed binary packages and package manager versions for affected component releases.
  • Upstream Status: Upgrade to verified non-backdoored upstream versions or roll back to known-clean stable releases.
⚠️ Disclaimer: Follow vendor-specific advisories for your operating system. CyberVault does not fabricate unsupported remediation scripts.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Remediation Guide

How do I fix CVE-2021-24209 in automattic wp_super_cache?

Review vendor-specific security notices and update automattic wp_super_cache packages to the latest patched release immediately. If immediate upgrading is restricted by change windows, isolate affected network ports and enforce least-privilege access boundaries.

Is there an active exploit or public PoC for CVE-2021-24209?

No weaponized public exploit has been confirmed in public threat streams yet. Continuous surveillance is active across GitHub and security feeds.

What is the CVSS 3.1 severity rating and impact for CVE-2021-24209?

CVE-2021-24209 is classified with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 7.2 (HIGH). Check the metric breakdown above for attack vector requirements.

Risk Snapshot
7.2
HIGH SEVERITY
CVE ID CVE-2021-24209
Weakness CWE-94
Vendor automattic
Product wp_super_cache
Published 2021-04-05
Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H