CVE-2021-29263Public exploit

Code execution via automatic Gradle build

Published May 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Code execution in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2020.3.3 allows attackers to run arbitrary code when a developer clones a malicious Gradle project. The VCS project-loading path automatically starts the Gradle build task without first obtaining confirmation, causing attacker-controlled build logic to run. Exploitation requires a developer to clone or check out the repository; the code executes with the developer's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2020.3.3 allows attackers to run arbitrary code when a developer clones a malicious Gradle project. The VCS project-loading path automatically starts the Gradle build task without first obtaining confirmation, causing attacker-controlled build logic to run. Exploitation requires a developer to clone or check out the repository; the code executes with the developer's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-29263
Published
May 11, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 11, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.6NVDAV:L/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.

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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

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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