CVE-2021-44228
CRITICALCISA KEVEPSS 100th pctlDescription
Apache Log4j2 2.0-beta9 through 2.15.0 (excluding security releases 2.12.2, 2.12.3, and 2.3.1) JNDI features used in configuration, log messages, and parameters do not protect against attacker controlled LDAP and other JNDI related endpoints. An attacker who can control log messages or log message parameters can execute arbitrary code loaded from LDAP servers when message lookup substitution is enabled. From log4j 2.15.0, this behavior has been disabled by default. From version 2.16.0 (along with 2.12.2, 2.12.3, and 2.3.1), this functionality has been completely removed. Note that this vulnerability is specific to log4j-core and does not affect log4net, log4cxx, or other Apache Logging Services projects.
CVSS v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 100% of all known CVEs.
Apache Log4j2 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Apache Log4j2 contains a vulnerability where JNDI features do not protect against attacker-controlled JNDI-related endpoints, allowing for remote code execution.
For all affected software assets for which updates exist, the only acceptable remediation actions are: 1) Apply updates; OR 2) remove affected assets from agency networks. Temporary mitigations using one of the measures provided at https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ed-22-02-apache-log4j-recommended-mitigation-measures are only acceptable until updates are available.
Remediation due: 2021-12-24
Associated with ransomware campaigns
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165225/Apache-Log4j2-2.14.1-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165260/VMware-Security-Advisory-2021-0028.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165261/Apache-Log4j2-2.14.1-Information-Disclosure.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165270/Apache-Log4j2-2.14.1-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165281/Log4j2-Log4Shell-Regexes.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165282/Log4j-Payload-Generator.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165306/L4sh-Log4j-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165307/Log4j-Remote-Code-Execution-Word-Bypassing.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165311/log4j-scan-Extensive-Scanner.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165371/VMware-Security-Advisory-2021-0028.4.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165532/Log4Shell-HTTP-Header-Injection.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165642/VMware-vCenter-Server-Unauthenticated-Log4Shell-JNDI-Injection-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/165673/UniFi-Network-Application-Unauthenticated-Log4Shell-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167794/Open-Xchange-App-Suite-7.10.x-Cross-Site-Scripting-Command-Injection.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/167917/MobileIron-Log4Shell-Remote-Command-Execution.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/171626/AD-Manager-Plus-7122-Remote-Code-Execution.html
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Dec/2
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Jul/11
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Mar/23
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/10/1
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/10/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/10/3
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/13/1
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/13/2
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/14/4
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/15/3
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-397453.pdf
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-479842.pdf
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-661247.pdf
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-714170.pdf
- https://github.com/cisagov/log4j-affected-db
- https://github.com/cisagov/log4j-affected-db/blob/develop/SOFTWARE-LIST.md
- https://github.com/nu11secur1ty/CVE-mitre/tree/main/CVE-2021-44228
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2021/12/msg00007.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/M5CSVUNV4HWZZXGOKNSK6L7RPM7BOKIB/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/VU57UJDCFIASIO35GC55JMKSRXJMCDFM/
- https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/security.html
- https://msrc-blog.microsoft.com/2021/12/11/microsofts-response-to-cve-2021-44228-apache-log4j2/
- https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2021-0032
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20211210-0007/
- https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213189
- https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-apache-log4j-qRuKNEbd
- https://twitter.com/kurtseifried/status/1469345530182455296
- https://www.bentley.com/en/common-vulnerability-exposure/be-2022-0001
- https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-5020
- https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00646.html
- https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/930724
- https://www.nu11secur1ty.com/2021/12/cve-2021-44228.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/alert-cve-2021-44228.html
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
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Start freeThis product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2026-02-20.