CVE-2021-36741
Trendmicro Officescan xg
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HSummary
CVE-2021-36741 is a high-severity Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type (CWE-434) vulnerability in Trendmicro Officescan. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).
Operationally, exploitation aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK technique Exploit Public-Facing Application (T1190); ranked in the top 9% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; CISA has added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
Deeper analysis AI-assisted summary
Synthesised by an AI model from the NVD description and linked references — a reading aid, not an authoritative source.
CVE-2021-36741 is an improper input validation vulnerability, categorized under CWE-434, that affects Trend Micro Apex One, Apex One as a Service, OfficeScan XG, and Worry-Free Business Security 10.0 SP1. It permits remote attackers to upload arbitrary files to affected installations, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability over a network vector.
An attacker who has already obtained valid credentials to log on to the product's management console can exploit the flaw to upload malicious files, potentially leading to code execution or further compromise of the system.
Advisories and solution documents addressing the issue are published by the vendor at https://success.trendmicro.com/jp/solution/000287796, https://success.trendmicro.com/jp/solution/000287815, https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000287819, https://success.trendmicro.com/solution/000287820, and https://success.trendmicro.com/jp/solution/000287796. No information on observed in-the-wild exploitation is provided in the available references.
OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)
EU & UK References
- 🇪🇺 ENISA EUVD: EUVD-2021-23331
Vulnerability Data
An improper input validation vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One, Apex One as a Service, OfficeScan XG, and Worry-Free Business Security 10.0 SP1 allows a remote attached to upload arbitrary files on affected installations. Please note: an attacker must first…
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obtain the ability to logon to the product�s management console in order to exploit this vulnerability.
- CWE(s)
- KEV Date Added
- 03 November 2021
Related Threats
MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise Techniques
CVEs Like This One
Affected Assets
Mitigating Controls
Control response
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V5.1.1
Likely Mitigating Controls AI
Per-CVE control mapping for this CVE has not run yet; the list below is derived from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry.
Requiring identifiable owners for portable devices reduces the attack surface for unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types via anonymous media.
Dangerous file uploads can be detonated in the chamber to determine malice before any production write or execution occurs.
Prevents unrestricted writing of arbitrary or malicious firmware by keeping hardware write-protect enabled except under tightly controlled manual procedures.
Scans files from external sources on download/open/execute, blocking unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types.
Mitigating Controls (NIST CSF 2.0) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→CSF cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Restricting execution of unauthorized software directly blocks dangerous uploaded files from running.
Hardened configuration baselines can enforce allowed file types and processing rules.
Secure development practices include input validation and file-type restrictions that prevent this weakness.
Mitigating Controls (ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A) AI
Derived directly from the weakness types (CWEs) cited in the NVD entry via our AI-authored CWE→ISO cross-walk (authority under review) — links open the control.
Configuration and acceptance testing verify that file-upload handling enforces allowed types and does not permit dangerous content to be stored or executed.
Secure-coding guidelines and security testing explicitly address restrictions on allowed file types and upload handling, reducing the risk that dangerous file uploads are accepted without validation.
Mandated testing for malicious content and known vulnerabilities reduces the likelihood that an outsourced component will contain or accept dangerous file types that could later be uploaded or executed.
Application allow-listing and pre-use scanning of received files directly blocks the introduction of executable content that has not been vetted, eliminating the primary vector for unrestricted dangerous file uploads.