Plesk: Improper Neutralization of Data within XPath Expressions
CVE-2026-44962 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of data within xpath expressions vulnerability in Plesk from WebPros, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.9 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 18.0.75.1, 18.0.76.2 as the first without the flaw, so updating Plesk to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.69% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 53% of scored CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Plesk to 18.0.75.1 or 18.0.76.2, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| WebPros | Plesk | before 18.0.75.1; before 18.0.76.2 | 18.0.75.1, 18.0.76.2 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA (hackerone.com).
Official description
Plesk contains an XPath injection vulnerability in the APS Application Catalog search functionality, where user-supplied input is interpolated into XPath queries without proper sanitization. This allows an authenticated, low-privileged user to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the server, resulting in local privilege escalation.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Data within XPath Expressions
The product uses external input to dynamically construct an XPath expression used to retrieve data from an XML database, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes that input.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use parameterized XPath queries (e.g. using XQuery). This will help ensure separation between data plane and control plane.
- Properly validate user input. Reject data where appropriate, filter where appropriate and escape where appropriate. Make sure input that will be used in XPath queries is safe in that context.
More Improper Neutralization of Data within XPath Expressions vulnerabilities (CWE-643)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other references
Other vulnerabilities in Plesk
- 8.4 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 9.0 Critical severity
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Data within XPath Expressions vulnerabilities
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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