CVE-2021-24981Known exploitationPublic exploitNetwork attack vector

Remote code execution via nonce-free ZIP extraction

Published Dec 21, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Cross-site request forgery in wpWax Directorist before 7.0.6.2 allows remote attackers to upload executable PHP archives. The atbdp_download_file AJAX action accepts an attacker-controlled download_item[download_link], retrieves the ZIP, and extracts its contents under wp-content/plugins without a CSRF nonce check. An authenticated WordPress user must submit the forged form; successful exploitation installs a PHP shell that permits arbitrary server-side code execution.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability0.81%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Cross-site request forgery in wpWax Directorist before 7.0.6.2 allows remote attackers to upload executable PHP archives. The atbdp_download_file AJAX action accepts an attacker-controlled download_item[download_link], retrieves the ZIP, and extracts its contents under wp-content/plugins without a CSRF nonce check. An authenticated WordPress user must submit the forged form; successful exploitation installs a PHP shell that permits arbitrary server-side code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-24981
Published
Dec 21, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
wpWax
Product
Directorist
Classifications
CWE-434, CWE-352, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 21, 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=7.0.6.2 <7.0.6.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

wpWax · Directoristversion=7.0.6.2 <7.0.6.2

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
5.1NIST NVDAV:N/AC:H/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.

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 exploitationReported
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
CWE-352Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

Public exploit references

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

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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