A method of detecting CPD in an HFC network is disclosed, where the network includes a return receiver, a cable plant, and a node. The node includes an optical receiver, optical transmitter, a diplexer having forward and return legs, a forward path defined between optical receiver and forward leg, and a return path defined between the optical transmitter and return leg. The optical receiver provides a forward signal to the cable plant and a portion of the forward signal leaks through the return leg and travels to the return receiver. The cable plant contains a CPD source which generates a CPD signal from the forward signal. The CPD signal travels to the return receiver. The method comprises: (a) operating the return receiver to synchronously capture the CPD signal and leaked portion of forward signal; (b) generating from the captured forward signal a reference signal, which substantially simulates the CPD signal; (c) performing a cross-correlation of the reference and captured CPD signals to produce a correlation peak; and (d) detecting the actual CPD signal from the correlation peak.