CVE-2021-38485Network attack vector

Arbitrary file replacement via malicious restore configuration

Published Oct 22, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Improper input validation in Emerson WirelessHART Gateway 1410, 1410D, and 1420 through 4.7.94 allows attackers to replace files. The restore-file handler accepts a malicious configuration that selects arbitrary disk files as replacement targets instead of restricting restoration to approved configuration paths. Exploitation requires low-privileged network access and a user to import the crafted backup, after which any file on the gateway can be overwritten.

CVSS severity8.0
High
EPSS probability0.93%
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 Emerson WirelessHART Gateway 1410, 1410D, and 1420 through 4.7.94 allows attackers to replace files. The restore-file handler accepts a malicious configuration that selects arbitrary disk files as replacement targets instead of restricting restoration to approved configuration paths. Exploitation requires low-privileged network access and a user to import the crafted backup, after which any file on the gateway can be overwritten.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38485
Published
Oct 22, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-20, T1565.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 22, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 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 privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

8.0CISA ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-20Improper Input Validation
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

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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