Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Autoptimize before 2.7.8 can briefly leave a dangerous uploaded file in place during settings import. An attacker who can reach that workflow may win a timing window and execute code on the WordPress server. The sources do not provide CVSS, prerequisites, or proof of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a priority for WordPress environments because the stated impact is remote code execution. Urgency is highest where many sites run Autoptimize or administrative access is broadly delegated. Evidence is incomplete, so remediation should focus on version verification and patching.
Technical view
This is a CWE-362 race condition in Autoptimize’s Import Settings archive extraction and cleanup logic. The plugin attempted to remove malicious files after extraction, but a timing gap before removal could permit remote code execution. The record describes it as a bypass of CVE-2020-24948.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to WordPress sites running Autoptimize versions before 2.7.8, especially where the Import Settings feature is accessible. The supplied sources do not define required user privileges, hosting configurations, or affected WordPress versions.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not cite KEV inclusion or any source confirming active exploitation. Exploitation depends on a race window during archive import; the sources do not provide reliable evidence about exploit availability, attacker access requirements, or observed attacks.
Researcher notes
The key technical issue is cleanup after extraction rather than prevention before exposure. The record names CVE-2020-24948 bypass behavior, but the bundle provides no CVSS vector, exploit chain detail, privilege requirement, or fixed-code analysis.
Mitigation direction
- Update Autoptimize to version 2.7.8 or later.
- Disable or remove Autoptimize if prompt updating is not possible.
- Restrict access to WordPress administration and settings import workflows.
- Check WPScan and vendor guidance for any additional remediation notes.
Validation and detection
- Inventory WordPress sites for Autoptimize plugin version below 2.7.8.
- Confirm the Import Settings feature is not exposed to untrusted users.
- Review server logs for suspicious file creation or access near import activity.
- Verify patched sites report Autoptimize 2.7.8 or later.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-362: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupExecution behavior lookup
The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-24377 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/85c0a564-2e56-413d-bc3a-1039343207e4CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')
Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.