CVE-2021-21085

Code execution via CSV formula injection

Published Mar 12, 2021 · Updated Apr 23, 2025

Improper input validation in Adobe Connect 11.0.7 and earlier allows attackers to achieve code execution via exported online-event data. The export feature accepts attacker-controlled values from an online event form and writes them into CSV output without preventing formula-style payloads, so a victim who exports and opens the file can trigger code execution in the local application context. Exploitation requires the victim to perform the export and open the resulting file; the record does not establish server-side execution before that interaction.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability3.74%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Adobe Connect 11.0.7 and earlier allows attackers to achieve code execution via exported online-event data. The export feature accepts attacker-controlled values from an online event form and writes them into CSV output without preventing formula-style payloads, so a victim who exports and opens the file can trigger code execution in the local application context. Exploitation requires the victim to perform the export and open the resulting file; the record does not establish server-side execution before that interaction.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-21085
Published
Mar 12, 2021
Updated
Apr 23, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Connect
Classifications
CWE-20, T1203
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 12, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 23, 2025Record 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=unspecified <=11.0.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Connectversion=unspecified <=11.0.7; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

7.8Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1203Exploitation for Client Execution

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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