# CVE-2021-3291: Zen Cart vulnerable to authenticated remote code execution

> Administrators can execute arbitrary OS commands via HTML radio input manipulation in Zen Cart, requiring admin access.

- **Severity:** High 7.2 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 26 Jan 2021
- **Updated:** 3 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-38f9-4vhq-9cr8

## What is CVE-2021-3291?

CVE-2021-3291 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 26 Jan 2021. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Zen Cart 1.5.7b allows admins to execute arbitrary OS commands by inspecting an HTML radio input element (within the modules edit page) and inserting a command.

Weakness: CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-3291?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including zencart/zencart. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `zencart/zencart` | Packagist | All versions | 1.5.7c |
| `zencart/zencart` | Packagist | All versions | 1.5.7c |

Products: Zen-Cart Zen Cart.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-3291?

Upgrade zencart/zencart to 1.5.7c or later.

## Is CVE-2021-3291 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-3291 exists.

Public exploit code:

- rebuild cve (github_poc): https://github.com/ImHades101/CVE-2021-3291
- Zen Cart 1.5.7b - Remote Code Execution (Authenticated) (exploitdb)

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2006-0697](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2006-0697/): Missing authorization in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2015-8352](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-8352/): Path traversal in n/a (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-11675](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-11675/): Authenticated RCE in Zen Cart 1.5.5e (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2024-5762](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-5762/): Zen Cart findPluginAdminPage Local File Inclusion Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2009-4323](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2009-4323/): Information disclosure in n/a (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-3291 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-3291 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 26 Jan 2021. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-3291 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- zencart/zencart (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 1.5.7c
- zencart/zencart (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 1.5.7c

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3291/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3291/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-3291
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-3291
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-3291

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-3291/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.