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 (31971)
SAP NetWeaver Application Server ABAP has HTML injection vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Zed is a multiplayer code editor. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.5), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
MASA CMS versions prior to 7.4.5 contain a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the processAsyncObject method that enables unauthenticated remote code execution. The flaw allows attackers to extract database contents and leverage database-specific features to execute OS commands on the underlying server.
Cherry Studio is a desktop client that supports for multiple LLM providers. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.0), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.
ModelCache for LLM through v0.2.0 was discovered to contain an deserialization vulnerability via the component /manager/data_manager.py. 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.
ZEN Load Balancer versions 2.0 and 3.0-rc1 contain a command injection vulnerability in content2-2.cgi. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.4), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 43.6%.
Auxilium RateMyPet contains an unauthenticated arbitrary file upload vulnerability in upload_banners.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 72.2%.
PhpTax version 0.8 contains a remote code execution vulnerability in drawimage.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 62.6%.
A safe mode bypass vulnerability in the `Model.load_model` method in Keras versions 3.0.0 through 3.10.0 allows an attacker to achieve arbitrary code execution by convincing a user to load a. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.6), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Stack-based buffer overflow in LoadOFF in bulletphysics bullet3 before 3.26 on all platforms allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted OFF file with an overlong initial token. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.3 and prior versions allow a local attacker arbitrary code execution in tcb through race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.3 and prior versions allow a local attacker arbitrary code execution in tcb through use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.3 and prior versions allow a local attacker arbitrary code execution in tcb through race condition. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
in OpenHarmony v5.0.3 and prior versions allow a local attacker arbitrary code execution in tcb through use after free. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OpenBao exists to provide a software solution to manage, store, and distribute sensitive data including secrets, certificates, and keys. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Craft is a platform for creating digital experiences. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable. This Code Injection vulnerability could allow attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the application.
Simple Web Server 2.2 rc2 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in its handling of the Connection HTTP header. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 64.3%.
EGallery version 1.2 contains an unauthenticated arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the uploadify.php script. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 72.5%.
CuteFlow version 2.11.2 and earlier contains an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the restart_circulation_values_write.php script. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 62.1%.
WebPageTest version 2.6 and earlier contains an arbitrary file upload vulnerability in the resultimage.php script. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 66.5%.
Cyclope Employee Surveillance Solution versions 6.x is vulnerable to a SQL injection flaw in its login mechanism. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 49.1%.
MobileCartly version 1.0 contains an arbitrary file creation vulnerability in the savepage.php script. Rated critical severity (CVSS 10.0), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 64.7%.
A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in ActFax Server version 4.32, specifically in the "Import Users from File" functionality of the client interface. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
Sflog!. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 43.4%.
WAN Emulator v2.3 contains two unauthenticated command execution vulnerabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 53.6%.
Project Pier 0.8.8 and earlier contains an unauthenticated arbitrary file upload vulnerability in tools/upload_file.php. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.3), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and EPSS exploitation probability 72.5%.
In Xerox FreeFlow Core version 8.0.4, an attacker can exploit a Path Traversal vulnerability to access unauthorized files on the server. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
WinRAR for Windows contains a path traversal vulnerability allowing crafted archives to execute arbitrary code, discovered by ESET and exploited in the wild for targeted attacks.
If untrusted users are allowed to configure JMS for Apache CXF, previously they could use RMI or LDAP URLs, potentially leading to code execution capabilities. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An HTML injection vulnerability exists in WordPress plugin "Advanced Custom Fields" prior to 6.4.3. Rated medium severity (CVSS 4.6), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
skops is a Python library which helps users share and ship their scikit-learn based models. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An integer overflow vulnerability in the loading of ExecuTorch models can cause smaller-than-expected memory regions to be allocated, potentially resulting in code execution or other undesirable. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A group of related buffer overflow vulnerabilities in the loading of ExecuTorch models can cause the runtime to crash and potentially result in code execution or other undesirable effects. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An out-of-bounds access vulnerability in the loading of ExecuTorch models can cause the runtime to crash and potentially result in code execution or other undesirable effects. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the loading of ExecuTorch models can potentially result in code execution or other undesirable effects. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An integer overflow vulnerability in the loading of ExecuTorch models can cause objects to be placed outside their allocated memory area, potentially resulting in code execution or other undesirable. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An integer overflow vulnerability in the loading of ExecuTorch models can cause overlapping allocations, potentially resulting in code execution or other undesirable effects. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
FoxCMS <=v1.2.5 is vulnerable to Code Execution in admin/template_file/editFile.html. 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.
GPMAW 14, a bioinformatics software, has a critical vulnerability related to insecure file permissions in its installation directory. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A command injection vulnerability exists in the 'passwd' parameter of the PPPoE setup process on the Shenzhen Aitemi M300 Wi-Fi Repeater (hardware model MT02). Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.4), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
OpenOrange Business Framework version 1.15.5 installs to a directory with overly permissive access control, allowing all authenticated users to write to the installation path. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
EDK2 contains a vulnerability in BIOS where an attacker may cause “Protection Mechanism Failure” by local access. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.0). No vendor patch available.
Tigo Energy's CCA is vulnerable to a command injection vulnerability in the /cgi-bin/mobile_api endpoint when the DEVICE_PING command is called, allowing remote code execution due to improper. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A maliciously crafted TGA file, when linked or imported into Autodesk 3ds Max, can force a Memory Corruption vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A maliciously crafted RBG file, when parsed through Autodesk 3ds Max, can force an Out-of-Bounds Write vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
A maliciously crafted PSD file, when linked or imported into Autodesk 3ds Max, can force an Out-of-Bounds Read vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.3), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
An unrestricted file upload vulnerability in Vedo Suite version 2024.17 allows remote authenticated attackers to write to arbitrary filesystem paths by exploiting the insecure 'uploadPreviews()'. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
A Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in /api_vedo/ in Vedo Suite version 2024.17 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary Javascript or HTML code and potentially trigger code execution in. 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 Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability in Grav CMS v1.7.48 allows an authenticated admin to upload a malicious plugin via the /admin/tools/direct-install interface. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
MCCMS v2.7.0 has an SSRF vulnerability located in the index() method of the sys\apps\controllers\api\Gf.php file, where the pic parameter is processed. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available and no vendor patch available.
IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.3.0.7 through 6.3.0.7 Service Pack 20 is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
IBM Tivoli Monitoring 6.3.0.7 through 6.3.0.7 Service Pack 20 is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow, caused by improper bounds checking. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA Triton Inference Server for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability in the Python backend, where an attacker could cause an out-of-bounds write by sending a request. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA Triton Inference Server for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability in the Python backend, where an attacker could cause an out-of-bounds write. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA Triton Inference Server contains a vulnerability in the HTTP server, where an attacker could start a reverse shell by sending a specially crafted HTTP request. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA Triton Inference Server contains a vulnerability where an attacker could cause a stack overflow through specially crafted HTTP requests. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
NVIDIA Triton Inference Server for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability where an attacker could cause stack buffer overflow by specially crafted inputs. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
ThrottleStop.sys, a legitimate driver, exposes two IOCTL interfaces that allow arbitrary read and write access to physical memory via the MmMapIoSpace function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.7). No vendor patch available.
The Request a Quote Form plugin for WordPress is vulnerable to Remote Code Execution in version less than, or equal to, 2.5.2 via the emd_form_builder_lite_pagenum function. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Protection Mechanism Failure Software Downgrade Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR libSystemLib Command injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR ReadMVGImage Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR JKRadioService Stack-based Buffer Overflow Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR JKWifiService Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR JKWifiService Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR libSystemLib Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR JKWifiService Command Injection Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Kenwood DMX958XR Firmware Update Command Injection Vulnerability. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.8), this vulnerability is no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
react-native-bottom-tabs is a library of Native Bottom Tabs for React Native. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
RatPanel is a server operation and maintenance management panel. Rated high severity (CVSS 7.7), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, low attack complexity. No vendor patch available.
Quick Facts
- Typical Severity
- CRITICAL
- Category
- other
- Total CVEs
- 31971