CVE-2021-38588Network attack vector

Code execution via unverified Perl downloads

Published Aug 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Download integrity failure in cPanel before 96.0.13 allows remote attackers to substitute code fetched by fix_cpanel_perl. The script accepts downloaded Perl code without authenticating its origin or verifying its integrity before use. Exploitation requires control of the download source, name resolution, or network path; execution of substituted code can compromise the host.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability0.44%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Download integrity failure in cPanel before 96.0.13 allows remote attackers to substitute code fetched by fix_cpanel_perl. The script accepts downloaded Perl code without authenticating its origin or verifying its integrity before use. Exploitation requires control of the download source, name resolution, or network path; execution of substituted code can compromise the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38588
Published
Aug 11, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-494, T1195.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 11, 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

8.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-494Download of Code Without Integrity Check
T1195.002Compromise Software Supply Chain

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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