CVE-2021-44228: Apache Log4j2 Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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.
Published Dec 10, 2021 · Updated Aug 11, 2026
Required action
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.
Advisory details
From the National Vulnerability Database. This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.
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.
References
- 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
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-44228
How this page is made: the data panel comes from the GitHub Advisory Database, CISA’s KEV catalog, the NVD and FIRST EPSS, and updates twice a day. No analysis has been written for this entry yet. Methodology
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