CVE-2021-32650Network attack vector

Authenticated PHP code execution via theme import

Published Jan 14, 2022 · Updated Apr 22, 2025

Code injection in October CMS before 1.0.473 and 1.1.0 through 1.1.5 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code. The Themes controller import handlers accepted theme operations without rejecting safe-mode requests, while the Twig policy exposed methods that could manipulate or write template state. Backend access is required; successful exploitation bypasses safe mode and runs PHP with the web application's privileges.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability2.09%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code injection in October CMS before 1.0.473 and 1.1.0 through 1.1.5 allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary PHP code. The Themes controller import handlers accepted theme operations without rejecting safe-mode requests, while the Twig policy exposed methods that could manipulate or write template state. Backend access is required; successful exploitation bypasses safe mode and runs PHP with the web application's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-32650
Published
Jan 14, 2022
Updated
Apr 22, 2025
Vendor
October CMS
Product
October CMS
Classifications
CWE-74, CWE-94, CAPEC-242, CAPEC-35, CAPEC-77, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 14, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 22, 2025Record 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=< 1.0.473
  2. Affected versionversion=>= 1.1.0, < 1.1.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

October CMS · October CMSversion=< 1.0.473; version=>= 1.1.0, < 1.1.6

Published CVSS scores

6.5NISTAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NISTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.8GitHub, Inc.CVSS: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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-74Improper Neutralization of Special Elements in Output Used by a Downstream Component ('Injection')
CWE-94Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
CAPEC-242Code Injection
CAPEC-35Leverage Executable Code in Non-Executable Files
CAPEC-77Manipulating User-Controlled Variables
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

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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