CVE-2021-32062Network attack vector

Arbitrary mapfile loading via environment-variable indirection

Published May 5, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Path traversal in OSGeo MapServer CGI allows remote attackers to load arbitrary mapfiles through the map request parameter. The msCGILoadMap function treats an attacker-controlled parameter value as an environment-variable name and loads the resolved path without applying MS_MAP_NO_PATH or MS_MAP_PATTERN to that path. The issue is reachable when MapServer CGI is exposed and either restriction is relied upon, allowing the configured mapfile-location boundary to be bypassed.

CVSS severity5.3
Medium
EPSS probability1.51%
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

Path traversal in OSGeo MapServer CGI allows remote attackers to load arbitrary mapfiles through the map request parameter. The msCGILoadMap function treats an attacker-controlled parameter value as an environment-variable name and loads the resolved path without applying MS_MAP_NO_PATH or MS_MAP_PATTERN to that path. The issue is reachable when MapServer CGI is exposed and either restriction is relied upon, allowing the configured mapfile-location boundary to be bypassed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-32062
Published
May 5, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-22, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 5, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

5.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/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-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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

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