CVE-2021-32751Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Arbitrary code execution via shell eval expansion

Published Jul 20, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Command injection in Gradle Build Tool before 7.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through Unix-like launch scripts. The gradlew and application-plugin start scripts pass JAVA_OPTS, GRADLE_OPTS, or application-specific option variables through shell eval, causing embedded command substitutions to run as the script user. Exploitation requires control of an environment variable visible to a user who later invokes the vulnerable wrapper or generated start script.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability2.71%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Command injection in Gradle Build Tool before 7.2 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through Unix-like launch scripts. The gradlew and application-plugin start scripts pass JAVA_OPTS, GRADLE_OPTS, or application-specific option variables through shell eval, causing embedded command substitutions to run as the script user. Exploitation requires control of an environment variable visible to a user who later invokes the vulnerable wrapper or generated start script.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-32751
Published
Jul 20, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Gradle, Inc.
Product
Gradle Build Tool
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059.004
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 20, 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=< 7.2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Gradle, Inc. · Gradle Build Toolversion=< 7.2

Published CVSS scores

7.5GitHub CNACVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.5NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C
7.5NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/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-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059.004Unix Shell

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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