CVE-2021-42081 Authenticated Remote Command Execution vulnerability in OSNEXUS QuantaStor before 6.0.0.355

Critical 9.1 Published 10 Jul 2023 Updated 22 Sep 2025

An authenticated administrator can execute arbitrary shell commands via the API in OSNEXUS QuantaStor.

Exploited in the wild: Not known
Login needed: An administrator
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2021-42081?

CVE-2021-42081 is a critical command injection vulnerability in OSNEXUS QuantaStor, published on 10 Jul 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

Official description

An authenticated administrator is allowed to remotely execute arbitrary shell commands via the API.

POC http://<IP_ADDRESS>/qstorapi/storageSystemModify?storageSystem=&newName=quantastor&newDescription=;ls${IFS}-al&newLocation=4&newEnclosureLayoutId=5&newDnsServerList=;ls${IFS}-al&externalHostName=&newNTPServerList=;ls${IFS}-al

Weakness: CWE-78

Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-42081?

It affects 1 product.

Products include Osnexus Quantastor.

How do I fix CVE-2021-42081?

No fix has been published for CVE-2021-42081 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.

Is CVE-2021-42081 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-42081 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Sources

Also known as GHSA-7g9g-whvg-fhcj.