CVE-2021-43836Network attack vector

Authenticated code execution via translator resource loading

Published Dec 15, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

PHP file inclusion in affected Sulu versions allows remote authenticated users to read local files through the administration interface. SymfonyExpressionTokenProvider evaluates route expressions with the full translator object, allowing translator.addResource to load a PHP file path. A backend account is required; file contents are exposed, and default configurations also execute included PHP code with server privileges.

CVSS severity8.5
High
EPSS probability1.98%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

PHP file inclusion in affected Sulu versions allows remote authenticated users to read local files through the administration interface. SymfonyExpressionTokenProvider evaluates route expressions with the full translator object, allowing translator.addResource to load a PHP file path. A backend account is required; file contents are exposed, and default configurations also execute included PHP code with server privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-43836
Published
Dec 15, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Sulu
Product
Sulu
Classifications
CWE-22, T1190
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 15, 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=< 1.6.44
  2. Affected versionversion=>= 2.0.0, < 2.2.18
  3. Affected versionversion=>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Sulu · Suluversion=< 1.6.44; version=>= 2.0.0, < 2.2.18; version=>= 2.3.0, < 2.3.8

Published CVSS scores

8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.5GitHub, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.5NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/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
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-22Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
T1190Exploit Public-Facing Application

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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