CVE-2021-35941Known exploitationNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated factory reset via missing API authorization

Published Jun 29, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Missing authentication in affected Western Digital NAS appliances allows remote attackers to invoke a system factory reset without credentials. The system_factory_restore.php endpoint disables authentication, while component_config.php omits the ADMIN_AUTH_LAN_ALL requirement. Internet exposure through port forwarding makes the administrator API reachable without credentials, allowing a factory reset that erases stored data and reboots the appliance.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability12.71%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationReported
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Missing authentication in affected Western Digital NAS appliances allows remote attackers to invoke a system factory reset without credentials. The system_factory_restore.php endpoint disables authentication, while component_config.php omits the ADMIN_AUTH_LAN_ALL requirement. Internet exposure through port forwarding makes the administrator API reachable without credentials, allowing a factory reset that erases stored data and reboots the appliance.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-35941
Published
Jun 29, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-306, T1485
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 29, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 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

7.5NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
5.0NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/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.

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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 exploitationReported
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-306Missing Authentication for Critical Function
T1485Data Destruction

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.

Reported exploitation

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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