CVE-2021-20136Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via database configuration overwrite

Published Nov 1, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper access control in ManageEngine Log360 before 5235 allows remote attackers to execute code through an exposed database migration API. The unauthenticated ChangeDBAPI handler accepts attacker-supplied database parameters, writes them to conf/database_params.conf, and restarts the service. Control of the replacement database exposes authentication records and restricted API definitions, enabling administrative access and startup file replacement.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability10.79%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper access control in ManageEngine Log360 before 5235 allows remote attackers to execute code through an exposed database migration API. The unauthenticated ChangeDBAPI handler accepts attacker-supplied database parameters, writes them to conf/database_params.conf, and restarts the service. Control of the replacement database exposes authentication records and restricted API definitions, enabling administrative access and startup file replacement.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-20136
Published
Nov 1, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Zoho Corporation
Product
ManageEngine Log360
Classifications
CWE-306, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 1, 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=< 5235

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Zoho Corporation · ManageEngine Log360version=< 5235

Published CVSS scores

9.8TenableCVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-306Missing Authentication for Critical Function
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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