CVE-2021-4226Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated IP-block bypass via trusted proxy headers

Published Dec 15, 2022 · Updated Apr 21, 2025

IP-block bypass in RSJoomla! RSFirewall! before 1.1.25 allows remote attackers to evade blocklists via spoofed proxy headers. The client-IP routine accepts a configured HTTP proxy header such as X-Real-IP without establishing that a trusted proxy supplied it, so a request can claim an unblocked address. Exposure requires selection of an attacker-controlled proxy header instead of REMOTE_ADDR; bypassed requests retain normal site access.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability0.51%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

IP-block bypass in RSJoomla! RSFirewall! before 1.1.25 allows remote attackers to evade blocklists via spoofed proxy headers. The client-IP routine accepts a configured HTTP proxy header such as X-Real-IP without establishing that a trusted proxy supplied it, so a request can claim an unblocked address. Exposure requires selection of an attacker-controlled proxy header instead of REMOTE_ADDR; bypassed requests retain normal site access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-4226
Published
Dec 15, 2022
Updated
Apr 21, 2025
Vendor
RSJoomla!
Product
RSFirewall!
Classifications
CWE-345, CWE-639
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 15, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 21, 2025Record 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=0 <1.1.25

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

RSJoomla! · RSFirewall!version=0 <1.1.25

Published CVSS scores

9.8CISA ADP VulnrichmentCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-345Insufficient Verification of Data Authenticity
CWE-639Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key

Public exploit references

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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