CVE-2021-27102 affects Accellion FTA versions 9_12_411 and earlier, allowing OS command execution via a local web service call. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 7.8, classifying it as high severity. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate potential risks associated with this vulnerability.
The risk to organizations includes potential unauthorized access and control over affected systems, which could lead to data breaches and integrity concerns. The vulnerability is known to have been added to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog as of November 3, 2021.
Given the nature of this vulnerability, organizations using impacted versions of Accellion FTA should address this issue on a priority patch cycle. The fixed version is FTA_9_12_416 and later. Failure to update could leave systems vulnerable to exploitation.
Organizations are urged to remain vigilant and monitor their systems for any signs of exploitation. Regular security assessments can help identify and mitigate similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in Accellion FTA is characterized as an OS command execution issue. The vulnerability was first published on February 16, 2021, and has been analyzed for its impact and risks. This vulnerability falls under the CWE classification, specifically CWE-78, indicating command injection vulnerabilities.
The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8, indicating high severity, with significant impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The attack vector is local, with low complexity and low privileges required to exploit this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is due to insufficient validation of user input in local web service calls. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary OS commands, potentially compromising the security of the affected system.
The attack vector is local, meaning that an attacker would need local access to exploit this vulnerability. The complexity of the attack is low, requiring minimal effort from the attacker. Privileges required are also low, making it easier for attackers to exploit this flaw without needing elevated permissions.
User interaction is not required for exploitation. The impacts of this vulnerability are significant, as it can lead to unauthorized access and control over system resources, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk for this vulnerability is high, particularly for organizations using Accellion FTA. The potential blast radius is significant, as an attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain control over critical systems. Organizations should prioritize remediation due to the vulnerability's high CVSS score and its presence in the KEV catalog. The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is critical, as attackers may target systems that have not yet been patched.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | Yes |
Ransomware Use | Yes |
Affected Versions
All versions of Accellion FTA prior to version 9_12_416 are affected by this vulnerability. Organizations should take immediate action to upgrade to the patched version.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should apply the updates provided by Accellion to remediate this vulnerability. The necessary version to upgrade to is FTA_9_12_416 or later. If a patch is not available, organizations should consider implementing network controls to limit access to vulnerable systems.
Monitoring for any unusual activity on systems running affected versions is also recommended. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and address weaknesses proactively.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor logs for any unauthorized command executions or anomalies in system behavior that may indicate exploitation. Behavioral changes in system performance or unexpected network traffic can also be indicators of compromise.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-27102 highlights the critical need for organizations to prioritize security updates and proactively manage vulnerabilities. This incident reflects a broader trend wherein local command execution vulnerabilities continue to pose risks, especially in systems with low privileges required for exploitation.
Security teams should take this opportunity to review their patch management processes and ensure timely updates are applied to all critical systems. Strategic defensive takeaways include the importance of regular vulnerability assessments and maintaining an updated inventory of software components.
For comprehensive guidance on vulnerability management, organizations can refer to our vulnerability management program design and implement best practices to enhance their security posture.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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