# CVE-2021-24209: WP Super Cache < 1.7.2 - Authenticated Remote Code Execution (RCE)

> Authenticated administrators can inject malicious code into cache configuration files, leading to remote code execution on the WordPress site.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 5 Apr 2021
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-x99c-f7pr-mjvv

## What is CVE-2021-24209?

CVE-2021-24209 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Unknown WP Super Cache, published on 5 Apr 2021. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

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.

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-24209?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Automattic Wp Super Cache.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-24209?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-24209 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-24209 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-24209 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Unknown WP Super Cache

- [CVE-2013-2010](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2010/): Code injection in W3 Total Cache Plugin (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2013-2009](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2009/): Code injection in WP Super Cache Plugin (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2021-24312](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24312/): WP Super Cache < 1.7.3 - Authenticated Remote Code Execution (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2013-2008](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2008/): Cross-site scripting in Super Cache Plugin (medium 6.1)
- [CVE-2021-24329](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24329/): WP Super Cache < 1.7.3 - Authenticated Stored Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) (medium 5.4)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-24209 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-24209 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Unknown WP Super Cache, published on 5 Apr 2021. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-24209 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Unknown WP Super Cache. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24209/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24209/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-24209
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-24209
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-24209

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24209/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.