CVE-2021-36040Network attack vector

Administrator code execution via extension-filter bypass

Published Sep 1, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

Improper input validation in Adobe Commerce 2.4.2, 2.4.2-p1, and 2.3.7 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute code. The administrative file-upload path accepts a specially crafted file because its extension restrictions are not enforced correctly. Administrator privileges are required, and accepted server-executable content permits arbitrary code execution.

CVSS severity9.1
Critical
EPSS probability2.87%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in Adobe Commerce 2.4.2, 2.4.2-p1, and 2.3.7 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute code. The administrative file-upload path accepts a specially crafted file because its extension restrictions are not enforced correctly. Administrator privileges are required, and accepted server-executable content permits arbitrary code execution.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36040
Published
Sep 1, 2021
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Adobe
Product
Adobe Commerce
Classifications
CWE-20, CWE-434, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 1, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 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=unspecified <=2.3.7
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2.4.2
  3. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=2.4.2-p1
  4. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=None

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Adobe · Adobe Commerceversion=unspecified <=2.3.7; version=unspecified <=2.4.2; version=unspecified <=2.4.2-p1; version=unspecified <=None

Published CVSS scores

6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.1Adobe Systems IncorporatedCVSS: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-20Improper Input Validation
CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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