CVE-2021-45082

Arbitrary code execution via Cheetah import bypass

Published Feb 18, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

Code injection in Cobbler before 3.3.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary Python code through crafted Cheetah templates. The check_for_invalid_imports function in templar.py rejects lines beginning with #import but accepts #from MODULE import directives, bypassing cheetah_import_whitelist. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access and control of template content, after which imported code runs in Cobbler's process context.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.50%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code injection in Cobbler before 3.3.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary Python code through crafted Cheetah templates. The check_for_invalid_imports function in templar.py rejects lines beginning with #import but accepts #from MODULE import directives, bypassing cheetah_import_whitelist. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access and control of template content, after which imported code runs in Cobbler's process context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-45082
Published
Feb 18, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-77, T1059.006
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 18, 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 vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
8.5GitHub Advisory DatabaseCVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
6.8NIST NVDAV:L/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-77Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')
T1059.006Command and Scripting Interpreter: Python

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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