CVE-2021-44967Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via superadmin plugin upload

Published Feb 22, 2022 · Updated Feb 20, 2025

Arbitrary file upload in LimeSurvey 5.2.4 allows remote authenticated users to execute PHP code through the plugin manager. The reported path installs and activates a plugin ZIP containing a PHP file, then exposes that file beneath /upload/plugins for web execution. Only a superadmin can install plugins, and LimeSurvey disputes that this intended capability violates its security model.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability13.50%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Arbitrary file upload in LimeSurvey 5.2.4 allows remote authenticated users to execute PHP code through the plugin manager. The reported path installs and activates a plugin ZIP containing a PHP file, then exposes that file beneath /upload/plugins for web execution. Only a superadmin can install plugins, and LimeSurvey disputes that this intended capability violates its security model.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-44967
Published
Feb 22, 2022
Updated
Feb 20, 2025
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-434, T1505.003
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 22, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Feb 20, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

8.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
9.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C

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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-434Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type
T1505.003Server Software Component: Web Shell

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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