CVE-2025-60021
Apache bRPC
Remote command injection vulnerability in heap profiler builtin service in Apache bRPC ((all versions < 1.15.0)) on all platforms allows attacker to inject remote command. Root Cause: The bRPC heap profiler built-in service (/pprof/heap) does not validate the user-provided extra_options parameter and executes it as a command-line argument. Attackers can execute remote commands using the extra_options parameter.. Affected scenarios: Use the built-in bRPC heap profiler service to perform jemalloc memory profiling. How to Fix: we provide two methods, you can choose one of them: 1. Upgrade bRPC to version 1.15.0. 2. Apply this patch ( https://github.com/apache/brpc/pull/3101 ) manually.
Ransomware groups exploiting CVE-2025-60021
Qilin ransomware was first observed in July of 2022. Qilin Ransomware is written in Golang and supports multiple encryption modes; all of which are controlled by the operator. Qilin actors practice double extortion – demanding payment for a decryptor, as well
Exploitation is attributed to these groups across their recorded activity. It does not follow that every organisation they listed was reached through CVE-2025-60021 — the source data does not record an entry point per incident.
Exploitation status
EPSS — exploitation probability
FIRST puts the probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days at 24.8%, which is higher than 97.8% 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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Recent listings by these groups
Disclosures from the groups above, newest first.
Frequently asked questions
Is CVE-2025-60021 being exploited by ransomware groups?
Yes. CVE-2025-60021 is recorded as exploited by Qilin. Between them these groups account for 2,241 victim disclosures in this database.
What does CVE-2025-60021 affect?
CVE-2025-60021 affects Apache bRPC. Remote command injection vulnerability in heap profiler builtin service in Apache bRPC ((all versions < 1.15.0)) on all platforms allows attacker to inject remote command. Root Cause: The bRPC heap profiler built-in service (/pprof/heap) does not validate the user-provided extra_options parameter and executes it as a command-line argument. Attackers can execute remote commands using the extra_options parameter.. Affected scenarios: Use the built-in bRPC heap profiler service to perform jemalloc memory profiling. How to Fix: we provide two methods, you can choose one of them: 1. Upgrade bRPC to version 1.15.0. 2. Apply this patch ( https://github.com/apache/brpc/pull/3101 ) manually.
How severe is CVE-2025-60021?
CVE-2025-60021 is rated CRITICAL with a CVSS base score of 9.8. EPSS puts the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days at 24.8%, higher than 97.8% of all scored vulnerabilities. It is not currently in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
How should organisations respond to CVE-2025-60021?
Apply the vendor patch for Apache bRPC 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.