CVE-2021-36161Network attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via unsafe bean stringification

Published Sep 9, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Remote code execution in Apache Dubbo 2.7.0 through 2.7.12 allows remote attackers to execute code via crafted RPC arguments. Timeout, cache, and other diagnostic paths stringify deserialized RPC argument objects, invoking an attacker-controlled bean's toString method. No authentication or user interaction is required; successful exploitation runs code in the Dubbo service process.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.47%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Apache Dubbo 2.7.0 through 2.7.12 allows remote attackers to execute code via crafted RPC arguments. Timeout, cache, and other diagnostic paths stringify deserialized RPC argument objects, invoking an attacker-controlled bean's toString method. No authentication or user interaction is required; successful exploitation runs code in the Dubbo service process.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-36161
Published
Sep 9, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Apache Software Foundation
Product
Apache Dubbo
Classifications
CWE-134, CAPEC-135, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 9, 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?

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

  1. Affected versionversion=Apache Dubbo 2.7.x <=2.7.12

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Apache Software Foundation · Apache Dubboversion=Apache Dubbo 2.7.x <=2.7.12

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDAV: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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-134Use of Externally-Controlled Format String
CAPEC-135Format String Injection
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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