CVE-2021-4104

HIGH EXPLOITED

Apache Log4j 1.2 - Remote Code Execution via JMSAppender JNDI Requests

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2021-4104 has been observed exploited in the wild (reported by VulnCheck KEV). EIP tracks 3 public exploits from researchers including cckuailong, JAckLosingHeart, cuijiung.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a minimal stub for CVE-2021-4104 (Log4j 1.x RCE) but lacks functional exploit code. The README describes prerequisites (JMS environment and log4j.properties modification) and references Log4Shell 2.x, while the Java file is a basic Log4j logging example without exploitation logic.

Description

JMSAppender in Log4j 1.2 is vulnerable to deserialization of untrusted data when the attacker has write access to the Log4j configuration. The attacker can provide TopicBindingName and TopicConnectionFactoryBindingName configurations causing JMSAppender to perform JNDI requests that result in remote code execution in a similar fashion to CVE-2021-44228. Note this issue only affects Log4j 1.2 when specifically configured to use JMSAppender, which is not the default. Apache Log4j 1.2 reached end of life in August 2015. Users should upgrade to Log4j 2 as it addresses numerous other issues from the previous versions.

Exploits (3)

nomisec STUB 20 stars
by cckuailong · poc
https://github.com/cckuailong/log4shell_1.x

This repository contains a minimal stub for CVE-2021-4104 (Log4j 1.x RCE) but lacks functional exploit code. The README describes prerequisites (JMS environment and log4j.properties modification) and references Log4Shell 2.x, while the Java file is a basic Log4j logging example without exploitation logic.

Classification
Stub 80%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache Log4j 1.x
Auth required
Prerequisites: JMS environment on target · ability to modify log4j.properties
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
github STUB 5 stars
by JAckLosingHeart · javapoc
https://github.com/JAckLosingHeart/CVE-PoC-Collection/tree/main/log4j-CVE-2021-4104

The repository contains a minimal Java test file that logs a debug message using Log4j but does not demonstrate any exploit for CVE-2021-4104. It lacks the crafted payload or malicious input required to trigger the vulnerability.

Classification
Stub 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache Log4j (unspecified version)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Log4j library in classpath
devstral-2 · analyzed Apr 29, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by cuijiung · poc
https://github.com/cuijiung/log4j-CVE-2021-4104

This PoC demonstrates CVE-2021-4104, a Log4j 1.x RCE vulnerability via JMS deserialization. The Evil.java class exploits the vulnerability by executing arbitrary code (calc.exe) when instantiated, while Test.java simulates a vulnerable Log4j 1.x environment.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 1.x
Auth required
Prerequisites: Target must have JMS environment · Attacker must modify log4j.properties file
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Scores

CVSS v3 7.5
EPSS 0.7220
EPSS Percentile 98.8%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Details

VulnCheck KEV 2022-04-26
CWE
CWE-502
Status published
Products (50)
apache/log4j 1.2
Apache Software Foundation/Apache Log4j 1.x Apache Log4j 1.2 1.2.x
fedoraproject/fedora 35
log4j/log4j 1.2.0Maven
oracle/advanced_supply_chain_planning 12.1
oracle/advanced_supply_chain_planning 12.2
oracle/business_intelligence 5.9.0.0.0
oracle/business_intelligence 12.2.1.3.0
oracle/business_intelligence 12.2.1.4.0
oracle/business_process_management_suite 12.2.1.3.0
... and 40 more
Published Dec 14, 2021
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026