Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-47855 is a stored cross-site scripting issue in OpenLiteSpeed 1.7.9. Malicious script can be saved in the dashboard Notes field during listener configuration and later run in an administrator’s browser when they click the Default Icon. This can expose admin-session context, but public sources do not show confirmed active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority administrative-interface risk if OpenLiteSpeed 1.7.9 is in use. Prioritize restricting dashboard access and confirming vendor remediation. Urgency is lower for environments not running this version or with tightly isolated administration access.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-79 stored XSS affecting LiteSpeed Technologies OpenLiteSpeed 1.7.9. The vulnerable input is the dashboard listener configuration Notes parameter. The CVE record rates it CVSS 7.2 high, with scope changed and low confidentiality/integrity impact. Exploit-DB and VulnCheck list public exploit/advisory material, but CISA KEV status is not indicated in the provided sources.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to environments running OpenLiteSpeed 1.7.9 with access to the administrative dashboard and listener configuration. Risk increases if the admin interface is reachable by untrusted users or if multiple administrators share management access.
Exploitation context
Public exploit information exists via Exploit-DB, but the supplied sources do not confirm active exploitation. The described scenario requires malicious content to be stored in the Notes field and later rendered through an administrator UI action.
Researcher notes
Sources identify a stored XSS in the Notes parameter, but do not provide a named patched version in the supplied bundle. Avoid assuming broader version impact. The CVSS vector says PR:N/UI:N, while the narrative describes administrator interaction; validate details against primary CVE and advisory records.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory OpenLiteSpeed deployments and identify version 1.7.9.
- Restrict administrative dashboard access to trusted networks and users.
- Review listener Notes fields for unexpected script-like content.
- Check OpenLiteSpeed vendor guidance for fixed versions or official remediation.
- Upgrade or apply vendor-recommended fixes when confirmed.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether any host runs OpenLiteSpeed 1.7.9.
- Verify administrative dashboard exposure and access controls.
- Review listener configuration Notes values for suspicious content.
- Check administrative logs for unusual configuration changes.
- Confirm remediation against vendor or advisory guidance.
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-79: User-session and phishing behavior lookup
Client-side and session-facing weaknesses should be reviewed alongside initial-access and user-execution behaviors. 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 lookupCVE-2021-47855 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.2 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
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 vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N3.92.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.2HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-49727CVE reference · exploit
- OpenLiteSpeed Vendor HomepageCVE reference · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: Openlitespeed 1.7.9 - 'Notes' Stored Cross-Site ScriptingCVE reference · third-party-advisory
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.