CVE-2021-44228: Apache Log4j2 Remote Code Execution, actively exploited

Description

Apache Log4j2 2.0-beta9 through 2.15.0 (excluding security releases 2.12.2, 2.12.3, and 2.3.1) JNDI features used in configuration, log messages, and parameters do not protect against attacker controlled LDAP and other JNDI related endpoints. An attacker who can control log messages or log message parameters can execute arbitrary code loaded from LDAP servers when message lookup substitution is enabled. From log4j 2.15.0, this behavior has been disabled by default. From version 2.16.0 (along with 2.12.2, 2.12.3, and 2.3.1), this functionality has been completely removed. Note that this vulnerability is specific to log4j-core and does not affect log4net, log4cxx, or other Apache Logging Services projects.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorNetwork

Attack complexityLow

Privileges requiredNone

User interactionNone

ScopeChanged

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Apache Log4j≥ 2.0.1 < 2.3.1 · ≥ 2.13.0 < 2.15.0 · ≥ 2.4.0 < 2.12.2 · 2.0

Apple Xcode< 13.3

Bentley Synchro 4d< 6.4.3.2

Bentley Synchro≥ 6.1 < 6.2.4.2

Cisco Advanced Malware Protection Virtual Private Cloud Appliance< 3.5.4

Cisco Automated Subsea Tuning< 2.1.0 · 02.01.00

Cisco Broadworks< 2021.11_1.162

Cisco Business Process Automation≥ 3.1.000.000 < 3.1.000.044 · ≥ 3.2.000.000 < 3.2.000.009 · < 3.0.000.115

Cisco Cloudcenter< 4.10.0.16

Cisco Cloudcenter Cost Optimizer< 5.5.2

Cisco Cloudcenter Suite4.10.0.15 · 5.3.0 · 5.4.1 · 5.5.0

Cisco Cloudcenter Suite Admin< 5.3.1

Cisco Cloudcenter Workload Manager< 5.5.2

Cisco Cloud Connect< 12.6\(1\)

Cisco Common Services Platform Collector≥ 2.10.0 < 2.10.0.1 · < 2.9.1.3 · 002.009\(000.000\) · 002.009\(000.001\)

Cisco Connected Mobile Experiencesall versions

Cisco Contact Center Domain Manager< 12.5\(1\)

Cisco Contact Center Management Portal< 12.5\(1\)

Cisco Crosswork Data Gateway< 2.0.2 · 3.0.0

Cisco Crosswork Network Automation2.0.0 · 3.0.0 · 4.1.0 · 4.1.1

Cisco Crosswork Network Controller< 2.0.1 · 3.0.0

Cisco Crosswork Optimization Engine< 2.0.1 · 3.0.0

Cisco Crosswork Platform Infrastructure< 4.0.1 · 4.1.0

Cisco Crosswork Zero Touch Provisioning< 2.0.1 · 3.0.0

Remediation

Fixed in

Apache Log4j≥ 2.3.1

Apple Xcode≥ 13.3

Bentley Synchro 4d≥ 6.4.3.2

Bentley Synchro≥ 6.2.4.2

Cisco Advanced Malware Protection Virtual Private Cloud Appliance≥ 3.5.4

Cisco Automated Subsea Tuning≥ 2.1.0

Cisco Broadworks≥ 2021.11_1.162

Cisco Business Process Automation≥ 3.1.000.044

Cisco Cloudcenter≥ 4.10.0.16

Cisco Cloudcenter Cost Optimizer≥ 5.5.2

Patch & vendor advisories

References

http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165225/Apache-Log4j2-2.14.1-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165260/VMware-Security-Advisory-2021-0028.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165261/Apache-Log4j2-2.14.1-Information-Disclosure.htmlExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165270/Apache-Log4j2-2.14.1-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165281/Log4j2-Log4Shell-Regexes.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165282/Log4j-Payload-Generator.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165306/L4sh-Log4j-Remote-Code-Execution.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165307/Log4j-Remote-Code-Execution-Word-Bypassing.htmlThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165311/log4j-scan-Extensive-Scanner.htmlBroken LinkThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165371/VMware-Security-Advisory-2021-0028.4.htmlExploitThird Party AdvisoryVDB Entry

and 42 more references

Related CVEs

Recent high-severity vulnerabilities sharing a weakness type.

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2021-44228 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2021-44228 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 10 Dec 2021. It has been used in ransomware campaigns.

How severe is CVE-2021-44228?

CVE-2021-44228 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 10.0, rated critical. EPSS estimates a 100.0% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2021-44228?

Affected products include Apache Log4j, Apple Xcode, Bentley Synchro 4d, Bentley Synchro, Cisco Advanced Malware Protection Virtual Private Cloud Appliance, and 19 more.

How do I fix CVE-2021-44228?

Upgrade affected software to a fixed version, for example Apache Log4j 2.3.1, Apple Xcode 13.3, Bentley Synchro 4d 6.4.3.2 or later, then confirm no affected versions remain in your inventory.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-44228 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

See how prioritisation works Book a demo