CVE-2021-34623Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via spoofed profile images

Published Jul 7, 2021 · Updated Oct 15, 2024

Unrestricted file upload in ProfilePress 3.0.0 through 3.1.3 allows remote attackers to execute server-side code via profile images. ImageUploader.php trusts exif_imagetype, which inspects only magic bytes, so a PHP file prefixed with an image signature passes validation. Registration need not be enabled or authenticated; a crafted avatar or cover image can install a web shell and take over the WordPress site.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.10%
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

Unrestricted file upload in ProfilePress 3.0.0 through 3.1.3 allows remote attackers to execute server-side code via profile images. ImageUploader.php trusts exif_imagetype, which inspects only magic bytes, so a PHP file prefixed with an image signature passes validation. Registration need not be enabled or authenticated; a crafted avatar or cover image can install a web shell and take over the WordPress site.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-34623
Published
Jul 7, 2021
Updated
Oct 15, 2024
Vendor
ProfilePress Membership Team
Product
ProfilePress
Classifications
CWE-434, T1505.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 7, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Oct 15, 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?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=3.0.0 <=3.1.3
  2. Affected versionversion=3.0.0 - 3.1.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

ProfilePress Membership Team · ProfilePressversion=3.0.0 <=3.1.3; version=3.0.0 - 3.1.3

Published CVSS scores

9.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.8WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NVDAV:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1505.003Server Software Component: Web Shell

Public exploit references

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