CVE-2023-41179 Trend Micro Apex One and Worry-Free Business Security Remote Code Execution

Exploited in the wild High 7.2 Published 19 Sep 2023 Updated 21 Oct 2025

An attacker with administrative console access can manipulate the AV uninstaller module to execute arbitrary commands on Trend Micro security products.

Exploited in the wild: Since 21 Sep 2023
Login needed: An administrator
Attackable: Over the internet
Victim action needed: Not needed
Fix: None listed

What is CVE-2023-41179?

CVE-2023-41179 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in Trendmicro Apex One, published on 19 Sep 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, with no action from the victim.

Official description

A vulnerability in the 3rd party AV uninstaller module contained in Trend Micro Apex One (on-prem and SaaS), Worry-Free Business Security and Worry-Free Business Security Services could allow an attacker to manipulate the module to execute arbitrary commands on an affected installation. Note that an attacker must first obtain administrative console access on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-94

Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-41179?

It affects 3 products.

Products include Trendmicro Apex One, Trendmicro Worry-Free Business Security, Trendmicro Worry-Free Business Security Services.

How do I fix CVE-2023-41179?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-41179 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available. US federal agencies must fix it by 12 Oct 2023.

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

Is CVE-2023-41179 being exploited?

Yes. Attackers have exploited CVE-2023-41179 in the wild since at least 21 Sep 2023.

All Trendmicro Apex One vulnerabilities

Sources

Also known as GHSA-vq2c-8m6j-g4vh.