CVE-2021-22488Network attack vector

Backup file tampering via symlink following

Published Oct 28, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Unauthorized file access in EMUI 10.1.1 and 11.0.0 allows remote attackers to tamper with files restored from backups. During backup restoration, the software follows attacker-modified symbolic links without verifying that the resolved files remain authorized. No authentication or user interaction is required, and the published impact is limited to restored-file integrity.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.72%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Unauthorized file access in EMUI 10.1.1 and 11.0.0 allows remote attackers to tamper with files restored from backups. During backup restoration, the software follows attacker-modified symbolic links without verifying that the resolved files remain authorized. No authentication or user interaction is required, and the published impact is limited to restored-file integrity.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-22488
Published
Oct 28, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
MindSpore
Product
EMUI
Classifications
CWE-59, CAPEC-132, T1565.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 28, 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=10.1.1
  2. Affected versionversion=11.0.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

MindSpore · EMUIversion=10.1.1; version=11.0.0

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
5.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:P/A:N

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-59Improper Link Resolution Before File Access ('Link Following')
CAPEC-132Symlink Attack
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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