CVE-2021-41037Network attack vector

Code execution via untrusted metadata touchpoints

Published Jul 8, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Untrusted metadata handling in Eclipse Equinox p2 before 4.28 allows remote attackers to execute code when a user installs a malicious unit. p2 accepts unsigned metadata that defines install and configure touchpoint actions, then runs those instructions without the artifact trust prompt. The attack requires installation from an attacker-controlled repository; the resulting actions run with the application's privileges and can change files, permissions, bundles, or startup arguments.

CVSS severity10.0
Critical
EPSS probability0.82%
Next 30 days · Sep 17, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Untrusted metadata handling in Eclipse Equinox p2 before 4.28 allows remote attackers to execute code when a user installs a malicious unit. p2 accepts unsigned metadata that defines install and configure touchpoint actions, then runs those instructions without the artifact trust prompt. The attack requires installation from an attacker-controlled repository; the resulting actions run with the application's privileges and can change files, permissions, bundles, or startup arguments.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-41037
Published
Jul 8, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
The Eclipse Foundation
Product
Eclipse Equinox p2
Classifications
CWE-829, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 8, 2022CVE 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=1.0.0 <4.28

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Eclipse Foundation · Eclipse Equinox p2version=1.0.0 <4.28

Published CVSS scores

8.0NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
10.0Eclipse FoundationCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/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 11, 2026Sep 17, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 17, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-829Inclusion of Functionality from Untrusted Control Sphere
T1204.002Malicious File

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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