CVE-2021-36023Network attack vector

Admin code execution via crafted widget layout XML

Published Sep 6, 2023 · Updated Feb 27, 2025

OS command injection in Adobe Commerce 2.4.2-p1 and earlier allows remote authenticated users with admin privileges to execute arbitrary code. The Widgets Update Layout processor accepts crafted XML script content without neutralizing command elements before execution. Administrative backend access is required, and successful exploitation permits arbitrary command execution against the server.

CVSS severity9.1
Critical
EPSS probability2.37%
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 Adobe Commerce 2.4.2-p1 and earlier allows remote authenticated users with admin privileges to execute arbitrary code. The Widgets Update Layout processor accepts crafted XML script content without neutralizing command elements before execution. Administrative backend access is required, and successful exploitation permits arbitrary command execution against the server.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36023
Published
Sep 6, 2023
Updated
Feb 27, 2025
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Commerce
Classifications
CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 6, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 27, 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=0 <=2.3.7

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Commerceversion=0 <=2.3.7

Published CVSS scores

9.1AdobeCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.2NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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