CVE-2021-38589Network attack vector

Authenticated file overwrite via improperly restricted fix script

Published Aug 11, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Improper file overwrite restriction in cPanel before 96.0.13 allows remote authenticated users to overwrite files through fix-cpanel-perl. The public advisory identifies scripts/fix-cpanel-perl as the faulty locus but does not disclose which input controls the destination or how validation fails. Successful exploitation can alter files and interrupt service, while the required cPanel account role and targetable files remain undisclosed.

CVSS severity8.1
High
EPSS probability0.85%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper file overwrite restriction in cPanel before 96.0.13 allows remote authenticated users to overwrite files through fix-cpanel-perl. The public advisory identifies scripts/fix-cpanel-perl as the faulty locus but does not disclose which input controls the destination or how validation fails. Successful exploitation can alter files and interrupt service, while the required cPanel account role and targetable files remain undisclosed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38589
Published
Aug 11, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1565.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

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 privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

5.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:N/I:P/A:P
8.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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.

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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

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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