CVE-2021-43479Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Unauthenticated code execution via installer configuration write

Published Mar 31, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Remote code execution in The-Secretary 2.5 allows remote attackers to execute PHP code through the web-based installer. The install.php script writes an unsanitized database name into system/assistants/config.inc.php, and requesting that generated file executes injected PHP. Exploitation requires a reachable install.php endpoint; successful code runs with the web server account's permissions.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability2.52%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in The-Secretary 2.5 allows remote attackers to execute PHP code through the web-based installer. The install.php script writes an unsanitized database name into system/assistants/config.inc.php, and requesting that generated file executes injected PHP. Exploitation requires a reachable install.php endpoint; successful code runs with the web server account's permissions.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-43479
Published
Mar 31, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
T1059
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 31, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P

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

T1059Command and Scripting Interpreter

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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