Remote Code Execution
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access.
How It Works
Remote Code Execution represents the critical moment when an attacker successfully runs arbitrary code on a target system without physical access. Unlike a single vulnerability class, RCE is an outcome—the catastrophic result of exploiting underlying weaknesses in how applications process input, manage memory, or handle executable content.
Attackers typically achieve RCE by chaining vulnerabilities or exploiting a single critical flaw. Common pathways include injecting malicious payloads through deserialization flaws (where untrusted data becomes executable objects), command injection (where user input flows into system commands), buffer overflows (overwriting memory to hijack execution flow), or unsafe file uploads (placing executable code on the server). Server-Side Template Injection and SQL injection can also escalate to code execution when attackers leverage database or template engine features.
The attack flow usually begins with reconnaissance to identify vulnerable endpoints, followed by crafting a payload that exploits the specific weakness, then executing commands to establish persistence or pivot deeper into the network. Modern exploits often use multi-stage payloads—initial lightweight code that downloads and executes more sophisticated tooling.
Impact
- Complete system compromise — attacker gains shell access with application privileges, potentially escalating to root/SYSTEM
- Data exfiltration — unrestricted access to databases, configuration files, credentials, and sensitive business data
- Lateral movement — compromised server becomes a beachhead to attack internal networks and other systems
- Ransomware deployment — direct pathway to encrypt files and disable backups
- Persistence mechanisms — installation of backdoors, web shells, and rootkits for long-term access
- Supply chain attacks — modification of application code or dependencies to compromise downstream users
Real-World Examples
The n8n workflow automation platform (CVE-2024-21858) demonstrated how RCE can emerge in unexpected places-attackers exploited unsafe workflow execution to run arbitrary code on self-hosted instances. The Log4j vulnerability (Log4Shell) showed RCE at massive scale when attackers sent specially crafted JNDI lookup strings that triggered remote class loading in Java applications worldwide.
Atlassian Confluence instances have faced multiple RCE vulnerabilities through OGNL injection flaws, where attackers inject Object-Graph Navigation Language expressions that execute with server privileges. These required no authentication, enabling attackers to compromise thousands of internet-exposed instances within hours of disclosure.
Mitigation
- Input validation and sanitization — strict allowlists for all user-controlled data, especially in execution contexts
- Sandboxing and containerization — isolate application processes with minimal privileges using containers, VMs, or security contexts
- Disable dangerous functions — remove or restrict features like code evaluation, system command execution, and dynamic deserialization
- Network segmentation — limit blast radius by isolating sensitive systems and restricting outbound connections
- Web Application Firewalls — detect and block common RCE patterns in HTTP traffic
- Runtime application self-protection (RASP) — monitor application behavior for execution anomalies
- Regular patching — prioritize updates for components with known RCE vulnerabilities
Recent CVEs (4594)
DLL search path hijacking vulnerability in the UPDF.exe executable for Windows version 1.8.5.0 allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code by placing a FREngine.dll file of their. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
DLL search path hijacking vulnerability in the UPDF.exe executable for Windows version 1.8.5.0 allows attackers with local access to execute arbitrary code by placing a dxtn.dll file of their choice. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The upload endpoint insufficiently validates the 'Upload-Key' request header. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Responsive Filterable Portfolio plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation via the HdnMediaSelection_image field in all versions up to, and. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Import any XML, CSV or Excel File to WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the import functionality in all versions up to,. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
PyInstaller bundles a Python application and all its dependencies into a single package. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
rAthena is an open-source cross-platform massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) server. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
Substance3D - Modeler versions 1.22.2 and earlier are affected by an Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Modeler versions 1.22.2 and earlier are affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
DeepChat is a smart assistant uses artificial intelligence. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Tautulli is a Python based monitoring and tracking tool for Plex Media Server. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Viewer versions 0.25.1 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Viewer versions 0.25.1 and earlier are affected by a Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Substance3D - Viewer versions 0.25.1 and earlier are affected by an out-of-bounds write vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The NVIDIA NVDebug tool contains a vulnerability that may allow an actor to run code on the platform host as a non-privileged user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The NVIDIA NVDebug tool contains a vulnerability that may allow an actor to gain access to a privileged account . Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Tautulli is a Python based monitoring and tracking tool for Plex Media Server. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Acrobat Reader versions 24.001.30254, 20.005.30774, 25.001.20672 and earlier are affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
XWiki Remote Macros provides XWiki rendering macros that are useful when migrating content from Confluence. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
XWiki Remote Macros provides XWiki rendering macros that are useful when migrating content from Confluence. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
XWiki Remote Macros provides XWiki rendering macros that are useful when migrating content from Confluence. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity.
XWiki Remote Macros provides XWiki rendering macros that are useful when migrating content from Confluence. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
Dreamweaver Desktop versions 21.5 and earlier are affected by a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Premiere Pro versions 25.3, 24.6.5 and earlier are affected by a Use After Free vulnerability that could result in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
ColdFusion versions 2025.3, 2023.15, 2021.21 and earlier are affected by an Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insufficient filename validation in Ivanti Endpoint Manager before 2024 SU3 SR1 and 2022 SU8 SR2 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to achieve remote code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Insufficient filename validation in Ivanti Endpoint Manager before 2024 SU3 SR1 and 2022 SU8 SR2 allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to achieve remote code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in YesWiki v.4.54 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted payload to the meta configuration robots field. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A heap-buffer-overflow write exists in jpeg2000dec FFmpeg which allows an attacker to potentially gain remote code execution or cause denial of service via the channel definition cdef atom of. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
A security issue exists within FactoryTalk Optix MQTT broker due to the lack of URI sanitization. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
A code execution security issue exists in the affected product. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A security issue affecting multiple Cisco devices also directly impacts Stratix® 5410, 5700, and 8000 devices. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A vulnerability has been identified in SIMATIC PCS neo V4.1 (All versions), SIMATIC PCS neo V5.0 (All versions), SIMATIC PCS neo V6.0 (All versions), User Management Component (UMC) (All versions <. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Goza - Nonprofit Charity WordPress Theme theme for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation in the alone_import_pack_restore_data() function in. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The AutomatorWP - Automator plugin for no-code automations, webhooks & custom integrations in WordPress plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to unauthorized modification of data due to a missing. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The The WP-Members Membership Plugin plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 3.5.4.2. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. No vendor patch available.
SAP NetWeaver AS Java allows an attacker authenticated as a non-administrative user to use a flaw in an available service to upload an arbitrary file. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MONAI (Medical Open Network for AI) is an AI toolkit for health care imaging. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MONAI (Medical Open Network for AI) is an AI toolkit for health care imaging. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
WeGIA is a Web manager for charitable institutions. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Maho is a free and open source ecommerce platform. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The XWiki blog application allows users of the XWiki platform to create and manage blog posts. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Doccure theme for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation in the 'doccure_temp_upload_to_media' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.8. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Doccure theme for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to incorrect file type validation in the 'doccure_temp_file_uploader' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.4.8. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A CSV injection vulnerability in the /id_profiles endpoint of Avigilon ACM v7.10.0.20 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via suuplying a crafted Excel file. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A Host Header Injection vulnerability in Avigilon ACM v7.10.0.20 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via supplying a crafted URL. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
An arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the Chat Trigger component of N8N v1.95.3, v1.100.1, and v1.101.1 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via uploading a crafted HTML file. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
rsbi-os 4.7 is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution (RCE) in sqlite-jdbc. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A vulnerability ( CVE-2024-38229 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord ) exists in EOL ASP.NET when closing an HTTP/3 stream while application code is writing to the response body, a race condition may lead. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Reflected Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WebWork, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code through the 'q' and 'engine' request parameters in /search. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Apache Jackrabbit Core and Apache Jackrabbit JCR Commons.0.0 through 2.22.1; Apache Jackrabbit JCR Commons: from 1.0.0 through 2.22.1. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
internetarchive is a Python and Command-Line Interface to Archive.org In versions 5.5.0 and below, there is a directory traversal (path traversal) vulnerability in the File.download() method of the. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation for DIMM serial presence detect (SPD) metadata could allow an attacker with physical access, ring0 access on a system with a non-compliant DIMM, or control over the Root of. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5). No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation in the GPU driver could allow an attacker to exploit a heap overflow potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper input validation in the system management mode (SMM) could allow a privileged attacker to overwrite arbitrary memory potentially resulting in arbitrary code execution at the SMM level. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5). No vendor patch available.
An authenticated attacker may remotely execute arbitrary code via the CWMP binary on the devices AX10 and AX1500. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Multi Step Form plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to missing file type validation via the import functionality in all versions up to, and including, 1.7.25. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Roo Code is an AI-powered autonomous coding agent that lives in users' editors. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The The REHub - Price Comparison, Multi Vendor Marketplace Wordpress Theme theme for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary shortcode execution in all versions up to, and including, 19.9.7. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Roo Code is an AI-powered autonomous coding agent that lives in users' editors. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. This Code Injection vulnerability could allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the application.
Roo Code is an AI-powered autonomous coding agent that lives in users' editors. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.9), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. This OS Command Injection vulnerability could allow attackers to execute arbitrary operating system commands on the host.
DeepDiff is a project focused on Deep Difference and search of any Python data. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') vulnerability in PickPlugins Job Board Manager allows Code Injection.1.61. Rated low severity (CVSS 3.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
RATOC RAID Monitoring Manager for Windows provided by RATOC Systems, Inc. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Uncontrolled search path element issue exists in TkEasyGUI versions prior to v1.0.22. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The WordPress Helpdesk Integration plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Local File Inclusion in all versions up to, and including, 5.8.10 via the portal_type parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Electron is a framework for writing cross-platform desktop applications using JavaScript, HTML and CSS. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In SendPacketToPeer of acl_arbiter.cc, there is a possible out of bounds read due to a use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is low attack complexity.
In multiple locations, there is a possible condition that results in OOB accesses due to an incorrect bounds check. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
The Easy Timer plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in all versions up to, and including, 4.2.1 via the plugin's shortcodes. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The atec Debug plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file deletion due to insufficient file path validation on the 'debug_path' parameter in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.22. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The atec Debug plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to remote code execution in all versions up to, and including, 1.2.22 via the 'custom_log' parameter. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
The Make Connector plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to arbitrary file uploads due to misconfigured file type validation in the 'upload_media' function in all versions up to, and including, 1.5.10. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Markdownify is a Model Context Protocol server for converting almost anything to Markdown. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
CKEditor 5 is a modern JavaScript rich-text editor with an MVC architecture. Rated low severity (CVSS 2.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In unknown of cd_CnMsgCodecUserApi.cpp, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Fuji Electric FRENIC-Loader 4 is vulnerable to a deserialization of untrusted data when importing a file through a specified window, which may allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Incomplete validation of dunder attributes allows an attacker to escape from the Local Python execution environment sandbox, enforced by smolagents. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
SQL Injection vulnerability in FoxCMS v1.2.6 and before allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Deserialization of Untrusted Data vulnerability in Sitecore Experience Manager (XM), Sitecore Experience Platform (XP) allows Remote Code Execution (RCE).0 through 9.3, from 10.0 through 10.4;. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Out-of-bounds write in libsavsvc.so prior to SMR Sep-2025 Release 1 allows local attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Dive is an open-source MCP Host Desktop Application that enables integration with function-calling LLMs. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
FreeScout is a free help desk and shared inbox built with PHP's Laravel framework. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
The Fluent Forms - Customizable Contact Forms, Survey, Quiz, & Conversational Form Builder plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to PHP Object Injection in versions 5.1.16 to 6.1.1 via deserialization. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
In multiple locations, there is a possible way to execute arbitrary code due to a logic error in the code. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Foxit PDF Reader PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Foxit PDF Reader PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Foxit PDF Reader PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Foxit PDF Reader PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Foxit PDF Reader PRC File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read Information Disclosure Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- other
- Total CVEs
- 4594