CVE-2021-24311Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Authenticated code execution via unchecked filename upload

Published Jun 1, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Arbitrary file upload in External Media before 1.0.34 allows remote authenticated users to execute PHP code through its AJAX action. The upload_remote_file handler accepts a caller-controlled remote URL and filename, then save_remote_file writes it without capability, nonce, or extension validation. Subscriber-level access is sufficient to place executable PHP on the server and take control of the WordPress site.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.77%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

Arbitrary file upload in External Media before 1.0.34 allows remote authenticated users to execute PHP code through its AJAX action. The upload_remote_file handler accepts a caller-controlled remote URL and filename, then save_remote_file writes it without capability, nonce, or extension validation. Subscriber-level access is sufficient to place executable PHP on the server and take control of the WordPress site.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-24311
Published
Jun 1, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Minnur Yunusov
Product
External Media
Classifications
CWE-434, T1505.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 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

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=1.0.34 <1.0.34

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Minnur Yunusov · External Mediaversion=1.0.34 <1.0.34

Published CVSS scores

9.9WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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.

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1505.003Server Software Component: Web Shell

Public exploit references

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

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo