CVE-2008-2478

cPanel < 11.8.6 and < 11.23.1 - Authenticated Remote Code Execution via Email Address Field

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

EIP tracks 1 public exploit for CVE-2008-2478. PoCs published by Ali Jasbi.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This exploit leverages a privilege escalation vulnerability in cPanel by manipulating the email address field during account creation to execute a Perl script that moves a file from a user's directory to the root directory. It demonstrates arbitrary file write capabilities leading to potential remote code execution.

Description

scripts/wwwacct in cPanel 11.18.6 STABLE and earlier and 11.23.1 CURRENT and earlier allows remote authenticated users with reseller privileges to execute arbitrary code via shell metacharacters in the Email address field (aka Email text box). NOTE: the vendor disputes this, stating "I'm unable to reproduce such an issue on multiple servers running different versions of cPanel.

Exploits (1)

exploitdb WORKING POC VERIFIED
by Ali Jasbi · textwebappsphp
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/31807

This exploit leverages a privilege escalation vulnerability in cPanel by manipulating the email address field during account creation to execute a Perl script that moves a file from a user's directory to the root directory. It demonstrates arbitrary file write capabilities leading to potential remote code execution.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Lpe
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: cPanel (version unspecified, likely older versions)
Auth required
Prerequisites: Access to create a cPanel account · Ability to upload files to public_html directory
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

References (5)

Core 5
Core References
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/492223/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry mailing-list x_refsource_bugtraq
http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/492259/100/0/threaded
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_sectrack
http://www.securitytracker.com/id?1020042
Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry vdb-entry x_refsource_xf
https://exchange.xforce.ibmcloud.com/vulnerabilities/42529
Exploit vdb-entry x_refsource_bid
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/29277

Scores

EPSS 0.0421
EPSS Percentile 89.7%

Details

CWE
CWE-94
Status published
Products (2)
cpanel/cpanel < 11.23.1
cpanel/cpanel < 11.8.6
Published May 28, 2008
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026