CVE-2021-42101

SYSTEM code execution via unsecured OpenSSL configuration

Published Oct 21, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Uncontrolled search path handling in Trend Micro Apex One 2019 and SaaS allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. A privileged process loads an OpenSSL configuration file from an unsecured location, allowing attacker-controlled configuration to run in its security context. Low-privileged code execution on an affected Windows host is required; successful exploitation grants SYSTEM-level control.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.46%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Uncontrolled search path handling in Trend Micro Apex One 2019 and SaaS allows local users to execute code with SYSTEM privileges. A privileged process loads an OpenSSL configuration file from an unsecured location, allowing attacker-controlled configuration to run in its security context. Low-privileged code execution on an affected Windows host is required; successful exploitation grants SYSTEM-level control.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-42101
Published
Oct 21, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Trend Micro
Product
Trend Micro Apex One
Classifications
CWE-427, T1574
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 21, 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=2019, SaaS

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Trend Micro · Trend Micro Apex Oneversion=2019, SaaS

Published CVSS scores

7.0Trend MicroCVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
4.6NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:L/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/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.

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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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path Element
T1574Hijack Execution Flow

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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