CVE-2021-45046
9.0 · CRITICAL Actively ExploitedOverview
CVE-2021-45046 is a critical-severity vulnerability affecting apache log4j. It was published on December 14, 2021 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.0 (CRITICAL). This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating active exploitation in the wild.
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.0, rated CRITICAL. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.
Technical Description
It was found that the fix to address CVE-2021-44228 in Apache Log4j 2.15.0 was incomplete in certain non-default configurations. This could allows attackers with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data when the logging configuration uses a non-default Pattern Layout with either a Context Lookup (for example, $${ctx:loginId}) or a Thread Context Map pattern (%X, %mdc, or %MDC) to craft malicious input data using a JNDI Lookup pattern resulting in an information leak and remote code execution in some environments and local code execution in all environments. Log4j 2.16.0 (Java 8) and 2.12.2 (Java 7) fix this issue by removing support for message lookup patterns and disabling JNDI functionality by default.
Remediation
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from apache. Update log4j to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
Affected Products
| Vendor | Product | Versions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| apache | log4j | >= 2.0.1, < 2.12.2 | Affected |
| siemens | captial | >= 0, < 2019.1 | Affected |
| siemens | e-car_operation_center | >= 0, < 2021-12-13 | Affected |
References
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2021-45046?
CVE-2021-45046 is a critical-severity vulnerability affecting apache log4j. It was published on December 14, 2021 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.0 (CRITICAL). This vulnerability is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating active exploitation in the wild.
How severe is CVE-2021-45046?
This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.0, rated CRITICAL. It can be exploited remotely over the network. No authentication or special privileges are required for exploitation.
How do I fix or remediate CVE-2021-45046?
Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from apache. Update log4j to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.
How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2021-45046?
CyberStrike's AI-powered security agents can automatically detect CVE-2021-45046 across your infrastructure using autonomous pentesting, DAST scanning, and HackBrowser. The platform continuously monitors for known vulnerabilities and provides actionable remediation guidance prioritized by real-world exploitability.
How CyberStrike Helps
AI agents map your attack surface to find vulnerabilities like this one.
Automated penetration testing that runs continuously, not just quarterly.
AI-driven PR review catches vulnerable dependencies before they ship.
Browser-based exploitation validates findings with real proof-of-concept.
Related CRITICAL CVEs from 2021
View all →An issue was discovered in the Quiz and Survey Master plugin before 7.0.1 for WordPress. It made it
An issue was discovered in the Ultimate Member plugin before 2.1.12 for WordPress, aka Unauthenticat
An issue was discovered in the Ultimate Member plugin before 2.1.12 for WordPress, aka Unauthenticat
Dell Wyse ThinOS 8.6 and prior versions contain an insecure default configuration vulnerability. A r
Dell Wyse ThinOS 8.6 and prior versions contain an insecure default configuration vulnerability. A r
DELL EMC Avamar Server, versions 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, contain a SQL Injection Vulnerability in Fitness
DELL EMC Avamar Server, versions 19.1, 19.2, 19.3, contain an OS Command Injection Vulnerability in
An improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions in Juniper Networks Junos OS and Junos OS Ev
OneDev is an all-in-one devops platform. In OneDev before version 4.0.3, a Kubernetes REST endpoint
OneDev is an all-in-one devops platform. In OneDev before version 4.0.3, There is a vulnerability th
OneDev is an all-in-one devops platform. In OneDev before version 4.0.3, there is a critical vulnera
OneDev is an all-in-one devops platform. In OneDev before version 4.0.3, AttachmentUploadServlet als