# CVE-2023-21413: Remote code execution vulnerability during the installation of ACAP applications on the Axis device

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code on Axis devices via command injection during ACAP application installation, requiring patched AXIS OS versions.

- **Severity:** Critical 9.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/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:** No
- **Published:** 16 Oct 2023
- **Updated:** 16 Jun 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-8hhq-vrcj-6mpj

## What is CVE-2023-21413?

CVE-2023-21413 is a critical command injection vulnerability in AXIS OS, published on 16 Oct 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

GoSecure on behalf of Genetec Inc. has found a flaw that allows for a remote code execution during the installation of ACAP applications on the Axis device. The application handling service in AXIS OS was vulnerable to command injection allowing an attacker to run arbitrary code. Axis has released patched AXIS OS versions for the highlighted flaw. Please refer to the Axis security advisory for more information and solution.

Weakness: CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command), CWE-78 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-21413?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Axis Axis Os.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-21413?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-21413 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-21413 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21413 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in AXIS OS

- [CVE-2025-0324](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-0324/): Privilege escalation in AXIS OS (critical 9.4)
- [CVE-2025-0358](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-0358/): Privilege escalation in AXIS OS (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2021-31988](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-31988/): Other in AXIS OS (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2025-0359](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-0359/): Missing authorization in AXIS OS (high 8.5)
- [CVE-2025-0360](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-0360/): Privilege escalation in AXIS OS (high 7.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-21413 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-21413 is a critical command injection vulnerability in AXIS OS, published on 16 Oct 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-21413 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: AXIS OS. 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-2023-21413/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21413/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-21413
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-21413
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-21413

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-21413/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.