CVE-2021-20081Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Administrator command execution via delimiter filter bypass

Published Jun 10, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Command injection in ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus before 11205 allows remote authenticated users to execute commands as SYSTEM. The containsScriptRestrictedWords method splits custom-schedule executor input only on spaces, so comma- or semicolon-delimited restricted commands evade its denylist. Administrator access to the custom schedules API is required, after which the scheduled script runs arbitrary operating-system commands with SYSTEM privileges.

CVSS severity7.2
High
EPSS probability52.42%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus before 11205 allows remote authenticated users to execute commands as SYSTEM. The containsScriptRestrictedWords method splits custom-schedule executor input only on spaces, so comma- or semicolon-delimited restricted commands evade its denylist. Administrator access to the custom schedules API is required, after which the scheduled script runs arbitrary operating-system commands with SYSTEM privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-20081
Published
Jun 10, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
ManageEngine
Product
ServiceDesk Plus
Classifications
T1059.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 10, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Before 11205

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

ManageEngine · ServiceDesk Plusversion=Before 11205

Published CVSS scores

7.2TenableCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1059.003Windows Command Shell

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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