Detect LiteSpeed cPanel Plugin Privilege Escalation (CVE-2026-48172) in Splunk
Detects exploitation of CVE-2026-48172, a privilege escalation vulnerability in the LiteSpeed cPanel Plugin (CWE-266: Incorrect Privilege Assignment). Attackers with low-privileged cPanel access can leverage the plugin's improper privilege handling to elevate to root or administrative system access. This vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild (CISA KEV).
MITRE ATT&CK
SPL Detection Query
index=os OR index=linux_secure OR index=cpanel
(sourcetype=syslog OR sourcetype=linux_audit OR sourcetype=cpanel_access_log)
(
(process IN ("lshttpd", "lsphp", "lsws_cpanel", "litespeed") AND (message IN ("*uid=0*", "*euid=0*", "*privilege*", "*escalat*", "*suid*", "*root*")))
OR
(path IN ("/usr/local/lsws/*", "/opt/litespeed/*", "/usr/local/cpanel/whostmgr/docroot/cgi/litespeed*") AND (command IN ("chmod", "chown", "sudo", "su", "usermod", "visudo")))
OR
(type="EXECVE" AND (a0 IN ("*lsws*", "*lsphp*", "*litespeed*")) AND (a1 IN ("*root*", "*0*", "*uid*")))
)
| eval risk_score=case(
match(message, "uid=0|euid=0"), 90,
match(message, "visudo|usermod"), 80,
match(command, "chmod \+s|chown root"), 85,
true(), 70
)
| where risk_score >= 70
| stats count min(_time) as first_seen max(_time) as last_seen values(message) as messages values(command) as commands by host, user, process, risk_score
| eval first_seen=strftime(first_seen, "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ"), last_seen=strftime(last_seen, "%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ")
| sort - risk_score, - countSplunk search for LiteSpeed cPanel Plugin privilege escalation activity. Hunts across OS syslog, Linux audit log, and cPanel access logs for processes running as or transitioning to UID 0 from LiteSpeed context.
Data Sources
Required Sourcetypes
False Positives & Tuning
- Legitimate LiteSpeed upgrades initiated by root cPanel administrator
- Provisioning automation that runs LiteSpeed installer under elevated context
- Security scanning tools auditing cPanel plugin file permissions
- WHM reseller operations that spawn elevated LiteSpeed management processes
Other platforms for CVE-2026-48172
Testing Methodology
Validate this detection against 3 adversary techniques from Atomic Red Team. Each test below lists the behaviour to exercise and the telemetry you should expect to see. Executable commands and cleanup steps are available with Pro.
- Test 1Simulate LiteSpeed Plugin Privilege Escalation via SUID Binary Invocation
Expected signal: Process creation event for /tmp/lsphp with SUID bit set; child process reporting uid=0 or euid=0 in execve audit record.
- Test 2LiteSpeed Parent Process Spawning usermod Command
Expected signal: SecurityEvent/audit log showing useradd/usermod syscall with uid=0, parent process traceable to a litespeed-named process or shell.
- Test 3Unauthorized sudoers Entry via LiteSpeed Process Context
Expected signal: File write to /etc/sudoers.d/ captured in Linux audit log (auditd WRITE syscall on path /etc/sudoers.d/litespeed_test) with triggering process running as UID 0.
Unlock Pro Content
Get the full detection package for CVE-2026-48172 including response playbook, investigation guide, and atomic red team tests.