# CVE-2021-40323: Cobbler before 3.3.0 allows log poisoning

> Attackers can achieve remote code execution in Cobbler via log poisoning and template injection through an XMLRPC method.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 4 Oct 2021
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-cpqf-3c3r-c9g2, PYSEC-2021-373, UBUNTU-CVE-2021-40323

## What is CVE-2021-40323?

CVE-2021-40323 is a critical code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 4 Oct 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Cobbler before 3.3.0 allows log poisoning, and resultant Remote Code Execution, via an XMLRPC method that logs to the logfile for template injection.

Weakness: CWE-94 (Improper Control of Generation of Code)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-40323?

3 open source packages ship an affected version, including cobbler. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `cobbler` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.0 |
| `cobbler` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.0 |
| `cobbler` | PyPI | All versions | 3.3.0 |

Products: Cobbler Project Cobbler.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-40323?

Upgrade cobbler to 3.3.0 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-40323 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-40323 exists.

Public exploit code:

- Cobbler <3.3.0 - Remote Code Execution (nuclei): http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-40323.yaml

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2018-10931](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-10931/): Cobbler has Exposed Dangerous Method or Function (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2017-1000469](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2017-1000469/): Cobbler vulnerable to arbitrary code execution (critical 9.8)
- [CVE-2022-0860](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-0860/): Improper Authorization in cobbler/cobbler (high 8.2)
- [CVE-2021-45082](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-45082/): Command Injection in Cobbler (high 7.8)
- [CVE-2021-40324](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-40324/): Cobbler before 3.3.0 allows arbitrary file write operations via upload_log_data. (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-40323 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-40323 is a critical code injection vulnerability in n/a, published on 4 Oct 2021. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2021-40323 exists.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- cobbler (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.0
- cobbler (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.0
- cobbler (PyPI): affected all versions; fixed in 3.3.0

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-2021-40323/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-40323/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-40323
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-40323
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-40323

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-40323/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.