CVE-2021-38163
SAP NetWeaver Unrestricted File Upload Vulnerability
SAP NetWeaver
SAP NetWeaver (Visual Composer 7.0 RT) versions - 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, 7.50, without restriction, an attacker authenticated as a non-administrative user can upload a malicious file over a network and trigger its processing, which is capable of running operating system commands with the privilege of the Java Server process. These commands can be used to read or modify any information on the server or shut the server down making it unavailable.
Exploitation status
CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities
Listed by CISA on 9 June 2022. US federal agencies were required to remediate it by 30 June 2022.
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 36.9%, which is higher than 98.5% of all scored vulnerabilities. EPSS is a forecast of activity, not a measure of severity, and it is rescored daily.
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2021-38163 being exploited by ransomware groups?
No ransomware group in this database is currently recorded as exploiting CVE-2021-38163.
What does CVE-2021-38163 affect?
CVE-2021-38163 affects SAP NetWeaver. SAP NetWeaver (Visual Composer 7.0 RT) versions - 7.30, 7.31, 7.40, 7.50, without restriction, an attacker authenticated as a non-administrative user can upload a malicious file over a network and trigger its processing, which is capable of running operating system commands with the privilege of the Java Server process. These commands can be used to read or modify any information on the server or shut the server down making it unavailable.
How severe is CVE-2021-38163?
CVE-2021-38163 is rated CRITICAL with a CVSS base score of 9.9. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 36.9%, higher than 98.5% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, with a federal remediation deadline of 30 June 2022.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2021-38163?
Apply the vendor patch for SAP NetWeaver as the first priority, and treat any internet-facing instance as the most urgent. Because this vulnerability is associated with ransomware activity, also review whether the affected systems were reachable before patching, rather than assuming that patching alone closes the incident.