CVE-2021-42538Network attack vector

Authenticated command execution via passphrase injection

Published Oct 22, 2021 · Updated Sep 17, 2024

OS command injection in Emerson WirelessHART Gateway 1410, 1410D, and 1420 through 4.7.94 allows remote authenticated users to execute commands. The passphrase parameter accepts uncontrolled input and incorporates it into an operating-system command without neutralizing command syntax. Exploitation requires low-privileged network access and user interaction; the published record does not identify the required action or execution context.

CVSS severity8.0
High
EPSS probability0.98%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

OS command injection in Emerson WirelessHART Gateway 1410, 1410D, and 1420 through 4.7.94 allows remote authenticated users to execute commands. The passphrase parameter accepts uncontrolled input and incorporates it into an operating-system command without neutralizing command syntax. Exploitation requires low-privileged network access and user interaction; the published record does not identify the required action or execution context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-42538
Published
Oct 22, 2021
Updated
Sep 17, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-77, CWE-78, T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 22, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 17, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

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

8.0ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/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.

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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

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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