CVE-2024-47637 Overview
CVE-2024-47637 is a relative path traversal vulnerability in the LiteSpeed Cache plugin for WordPress, developed by LiteSpeed Technologies. The flaw affects all versions of litespeed-cache up to and including 6.4.1. An authenticated attacker with low privileges can supply crafted input containing traversal sequences to access files outside the intended directory. The vulnerability maps to [CWE-22] (Path Traversal) and [CWE-23] (Relative Path Traversal).
Critical Impact
Authenticated attackers can traverse the WordPress file system to read, modify, or delete files outside the plugin's intended scope, compromising site confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Affected Products
- LiteSpeed Cache plugin for WordPress versions through 6.4.1
- WordPress deployments with LiteSpeed Cache installed and active
- Multisite WordPress installations using the affected plugin
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-10-16 - CVE-2024-47637 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-47637
Vulnerability Analysis
The LiteSpeed Cache plugin is one of the most widely deployed WordPress performance plugins, with millions of active installations. The vulnerability allows a low-privileged authenticated user to manipulate file path parameters processed by the plugin. Because the plugin fails to properly canonicalize or restrict user-supplied path input, attackers can traverse directories using sequences such as ../ to reach arbitrary files on the server.
The attack requires network access and low authentication privileges, with no user interaction needed. Successful exploitation can compromise WordPress configuration files including wp-config.php, which contains database credentials and secret keys. Attackers may leverage disclosed credentials to escalate access or pivot to database-level compromise.
Root Cause
The root cause lies in insufficient input validation of file path parameters within plugin functionality. The plugin accepts path values through authenticated request handlers without normalizing them against a restricted base directory. Relative path segments like ../../ bypass the plugin's intended file scope, exposing arbitrary files across the WordPress installation and underlying filesystem.
Attack Vector
Exploitation occurs over the network against WordPress sites running LiteSpeed Cache <= 6.4.1. An attacker authenticates with any account holding the minimum required capability, then submits a crafted request containing traversal sequences in a file-path parameter. The plugin resolves the path outside its intended scope and returns or manipulates the target file. Technical details are described in the Patchstack Vulnerability Report.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-47637
Indicators of Compromise
- HTTP requests to LiteSpeed Cache endpoints containing ../ or URL-encoded traversal sequences such as %2e%2e%2f
- Access log entries showing authenticated users requesting plugin actions with unusual file-path parameters
- Unexpected reads of wp-config.php, .htaccess, or files outside wp-content/plugins/litespeed-cache/
- New or modified administrator accounts following anomalous plugin activity
Detection Strategies
- Inspect WordPress access logs for requests targeting admin-ajax.php or plugin routes with path-like parameters
- Deploy web application firewall rules that block traversal patterns against LiteSpeed Cache endpoints
- Correlate authenticated session activity with file access anomalies on the underlying host
- Compare installed plugin version against the fixed release to identify vulnerable hosts
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable file integrity monitoring on wp-config.php and other sensitive WordPress files
- Alert on outbound traffic patterns consistent with credential exfiltration from compromised sites
- Monitor WordPress role changes and privilege modifications for accounts with plugin access
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-47637
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the LiteSpeed Cache plugin to a version later than 6.4.1 on all WordPress installations
- Audit WordPress user accounts and revoke unnecessary low-privileged access
- Rotate database credentials and secret keys stored in wp-config.php if compromise is suspected
- Review web server logs for evidence of prior exploitation attempts
Patch Information
LiteSpeed Technologies released a fixed version addressing the path traversal issue. Administrators should upgrade beyond 6.4.1 through the WordPress plugin manager or by manually installing the latest release. Refer to the Patchstack Vulnerability Report for advisory details.
Workarounds
- Temporarily deactivate the LiteSpeed Cache plugin until the update is applied
- Restrict authenticated access to trusted users only and enforce strong authentication
- Apply web application firewall rules that filter traversal sequences targeting plugin endpoints
- Enforce filesystem-level permissions that prevent the web server user from reading sensitive files outside the WordPress document root
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
