# CVE-2021-38120: Remote Code Execution using Bash command Injection in backup scheduling functionality in NetIQ Advance Authentication

> Attackers can execute arbitrary bash commands via improper parameter handling in the backup scheduling functionality of NetIQ Advance Authentication.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 28 Aug 2024
- **Updated:** 28 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-h3vv-p837-jj7r

## What is CVE-2021-38120?

CVE-2021-38120 is a medium-severity command injection vulnerability in OpenText NetIQ Advance Authentication, published on 28 Aug 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

A vulnerability identified in Advance Authentication that allows bash command Injection in administrative controlled functionality of backup due to improper
handling in provided command parameters. This issue affects NetIQ Advance Authentication version before 6.3.5.1.

Weakness: CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-38120?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Microfocus Netiq Advanced Authentication.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-38120?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-38120 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2021-38120 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-38120 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in OpenText NetIQ Advance Authentication

- [CVE-2023-24468](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-24468/): Missing authorization in NetIQ Advanced Authentication (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2021-38121](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38121/): Weak communication protocol identified in Advance Authentication client application (high 8.3)
- [CVE-2021-22530](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22530/): Improper account management vulnerability in NetIQ Advance Authentication (high 8.2)
- [CVE-2021-22509](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22509/): Handling of sensitive data in process memory in NetIQ Advance Authentication (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2021-22529](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-22529/): Sensitive Data Exposure leaks potential information in NetIQ Advance Authentication (medium 6.3)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-38120 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-38120 is a medium-severity command injection vulnerability in OpenText NetIQ Advance Authentication, published on 28 Aug 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-38120 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: OpenText NetIQ Advance Authentication. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2021-38120/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38120/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-38120
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-38120
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-38120

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-38120/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.