CVE-2021-3342Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated file read and command execution via LaTeX

Published Mar 1, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

OS command injection in EPrints 3.4.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or execute commands through crafted LaTeX input. The /cgi/latex2png endpoint sends its attacker-controlled latex parameter into server-side LaTeX processing without neutralizing command-bearing input. An unauthenticated network request is sufficient, and successful exploitation exposes files readable by the service account or runs commands with that account's privileges.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability4.18%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in EPrints 3.4.2 allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files or execute commands through crafted LaTeX input. The /cgi/latex2png endpoint sends its attacker-controlled latex parameter into server-side LaTeX processing without neutralizing command-bearing input. An unauthenticated network request is sufficient, and successful exploitation exposes files readable by the service account or runs commands with that account's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-3342
Published
Mar 1, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-78, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 1, 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 vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/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 exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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