Cyber Resilience

CVE-2021-42125

RCE in Ivanti Avalanche ≤ 6.3.3

Published
07 December 2021
Modified
21 November 2024
Patch / advisory
CVSS Score v3.1 8.8
Click a component to see what it means
Raw vectorCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS Score 0.82 99.6th percentile
Risk Priority 87 floored blend · peak EPSS

Summary

CVE-2021-42125 is a high-severity Deserialization of Untrusted Data (CWE-502) vulnerability in Ivanti Avalanche. Its CVSS base score is 8.8 (High).

Operationally, ranked in the top 0.4% of CVEs by exploit likelihood; it is not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

OWASP Top 10 for Web (2025)

EU & UK References

Vulnerability Data

An unrestricted file upload vulnerability exists in Ivanti Avalanche before 6.3.3 allows an attacker with access to the Inforail Service to write dangerous files.

CWE(s)

Related Threats

Likely ATT&CK TechniquesAI

Techniques this vulnerability likely enables, inferred from its description, weakness type, and attributed-actor tradecraft. Confidence is per-technique.

T1505.003 Web Shell Persistenceconfidence: HIGH
Unrestricted file upload directly enables writing a web shell to achieve remote code execution via the server.
T1105 Ingress Tool Transfer Command And Controlconfidence: HIGH
The vulnerability allows an attacker to upload arbitrary files, facilitating ingress tool transfer to the target system.
T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter Executionconfidence: MEDIUM
Uploaded files can be executed to run commands or scripts on the compromised host.
inferred from description + CWE · MITRE ATT&CK Enterprise v19.0

CVEs Like This One

CVE-2021-42127Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2025-8297Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2024-29848Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2023-28128Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2023-41725Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2023-32562Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2022-36974Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2024-23534Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2023-32564Same product: Ivanti Avalanche
CVE-2021-42130Same product: Ivanti Avalanche

Affected Assets

ivanti
avalanche
≤ 6.3.3

Mitigating Controls

Control response

Prevent
Stop it (NIST 800-53)

Detect
Catch it (NIST detect / respond)

Harden
Shrink the surface (DISA STIG)

Validate
Prove the fix (OWASP ASVS)
  • 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.

addresses: CWE-502 CWE-434

Untrusted serialized data can be deserialized and observed inside the chamber, blocking gadget-chain exploitation outside the sandbox.

addresses: CWE-434 CWE-502

Scans files from external sources on download/open/execute, blocking unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types.

addresses: CWE-502

Penetration testing supplies malicious serialized objects, detecting unsafe deserialization and supporting corrective actions.

addresses: CWE-434

Requiring identifiable owners for portable devices reduces the attack surface for unrestricted uploads of dangerous file types via anonymous media.

addresses: CWE-502

Evaluation of untrusted data handling (deserialization testing) reveals unsafe processing, which the required remediation process addresses.

addresses: CWE-434

Prevents unrestricted writing of arbitrary or malicious firmware by keeping hardware write-protect enabled except under tightly controlled manual procedures.

addresses: CWE-502

Validates or rejects untrusted serialized data before deserialization occurs.

addresses: CWE-502

Integrity verification of serialized information can detect tampering before deserialization occurs.

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.

PR.PS-05 mostly match
prevents

Restricting execution of unauthorized software directly blocks dangerous uploaded files from running.

PR.PS-01 partial match
prevents

Hardened configuration baselines can enforce allowed file types and processing rules.

PR.PS-06 partial match
prevents

Secure development practices include input validation and file-type restrictions that prevent this weakness.

PR.PS-02 none match
prevents

PR.PS-02 addresses only post-deployment updates/patching and cannot prevent introduction of unsafe deserialization code, yet it can remediate some instances when the flaw exists in outdated libraries or components.

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.

detects

Security testing includes validation of deserialization routines and the use of untrusted data, reducing the likelihood that unsafe object reconstruction will be deployed.

prevents

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.

prevents

Requiring vetted libraries, regular updates and SAST before release reduces the likelihood that deserialization logic will accept and act on attacker-controlled serialized objects.

prevents

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.

mitigates

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.

detects

Regular scanning of third-party libraries and timely patching reduce the likelihood that unsafe deserialization vulnerabilities remain active.

References