CVE-2021-45046

CRITICAL KEV RANSOMWARE NUCLEI

Apache Log4j < 2.12.2 - Remote Code Execution

Title source: rule
STIX 2.1

Exploitation Summary

CVE-2021-45046 is actively exploited and listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added May 1, 2023, with confirmed use in ransomware campaigns. EIP tracks 13 public exploits from researchers including lijiejie, cckuailong, mergebase, including a Metasploit module auxiliary/scanner/http/log4shell_scanner. A Nuclei detection template is also available.

AI-analyzed exploit summary This repository contains a Python-based local scanner for detecting CVE-2021-45046 (Log4j2 vulnerability) by inspecting Java processes and their associated JAR files for the presence of vulnerable log4j-core components. It checks for mitigations like JVM arguments and environment variables, and can upload results to a specified server.

Description

It was found that the fix to address CVE-2021-44228 in Apache Log4j 2.15.0 was incomplete in certain non-default configurations. This could allows attackers with control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data when the logging configuration uses a non-default Pattern Layout with either a Context Lookup (for example, $${ctx:loginId}) or a Thread Context Map pattern (%X, %mdc, or %MDC) to craft malicious input data using a JNDI Lookup pattern resulting in an information leak and remote code execution in some environments and local code execution in all environments. Log4j 2.16.0 (Java 8) and 2.12.2 (Java 7) fix this issue by removing support for message lookup patterns and disabling JNDI functionality by default.

Exploits (13)

nomisec SCANNER 84 stars
by lijiejie · poc
https://github.com/lijiejie/log4j2_vul_local_scanner

This repository contains a Python-based local scanner for detecting CVE-2021-45046 (Log4j2 vulnerability) by inspecting Java processes and their associated JAR files for the presence of vulnerable log4j-core components. It checks for mitigations like JVM arguments and environment variables, and can upload results to a specified server.

Classification
Scanner 100%
Attack Type
Info Leak
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j2 (versions affected by CVE-2021-45046)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the target system's process list and file system · Python 2.6/2.7 or 3.x
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 21 stars
by cckuailong · remote
https://github.com/cckuailong/Log4j_CVE-2021-45046

This repository contains a proof-of-concept for CVE-2021-45046, demonstrating a denial-of-service (DoS) vulnerability in Log4j 2.15.0 due to incomplete mitigation of CVE-2021-44228. The PoC uses a JNDI lookup pattern to exploit non-default configurations involving Thread Context Map (MDC) input data.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 2.15.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Log4j 2.15.0 with non-default Pattern Layout using Context Lookup or Thread Context Map pattern · Ability to control Thread Context Map (MDC) input data
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER 14 stars
by mergebase · poc
https://github.com/mergebase/log4j-samples

This repository provides a collection of Log4j library samples (including shaded jars, uber jars, and spring-boot executable jars) to aid in the detection and scanning of CVE-2021-45046 and CVE-2021-44228. It includes categorized samples for false hits, old hits, and true hits to validate scanner accuracy.

Classification
Scanner 100%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Log4j 2.x (versions vulnerable to CVE-2021-45046 and CVE-2021-44228)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Access to the target system or application using vulnerable Log4j versions
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC 6 stars
by ifconfig-me · remote
https://github.com/ifconfig-me/Log4Shell-Payloads

This repository contains a collection of Log4Shell (CVE-2021-45046) payloads for testing and exploiting vulnerable systems. It includes one-liners, WAF bypass techniques, and custom headers for various attack vectors.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 2.x
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Vulnerable Log4j version · Network access to target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP 4 stars
by BobTheShoplifter · poc
https://github.com/BobTheShoplifter/CVE-2021-45046-Info

This repository provides a brief description and a Log4j2 pattern layout string as a PoC for CVE-2021-45046, a vulnerability related to incomplete fix for Log4Shell. It includes references to external resources but lacks executable exploit code.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: Apache Log4j2 versions 2.0-alpha1 through 2.16.0 (excluding 2.12.3)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Vulnerable Log4j2 version · Ability to send crafted log messages to the target system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WRITEUP 1 stars
by ludy-dev · infoleak
https://github.com/ludy-dev/cve-2021-45046

This repository documents testing results for CVE-2021-45046, a DoS vulnerability in Log4j 2.15.0. It includes test cases demonstrating infinite loops and system info exposure via crafted input strings.

Classification
Writeup 90%
Attack Type
Dos | Info Leak
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 2.15.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Log4j 2.15.0 with vulnerable configuration · Ability to send crafted input to the logging system
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
gitlab WORKING POC
by xantho09-cs5439 · poc
https://gitlab.com/xantho09-cs5439/second-log4j

This repository contains a functional PoC for CVE-2021-45046, demonstrating Log4j2's vulnerability to JNDI lookups in ThreadContext. The code includes examples of malicious payloads (commented out) that could trigger RCE via LDAP.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 2.x (versions affected by CVE-2021-45046)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: A vulnerable Log4j2 configuration · An attacker-controlled LDAP server
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 23, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec STUB
by shaily29-eng · poc
https://github.com/shaily29-eng/CyberSecurity_CVE-2021-45046

The repository contains only a README.md file with the CVE identifier and no functional exploit code or technical details. It appears to be a placeholder or incomplete submission.

Classification
Stub 90%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Theoretical
Target: unknown
No auth needed
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER
by lukepasek · poc
https://github.com/lukepasek/log4jjndilookupremove

This repository provides a bash script to scan and optionally remove the JndiLookup.class from JAR/WAR files to mitigate CVE-2021-45046 and CVE-2021-44228. It identifies vulnerable Log4j versions and helps remediate by deleting the problematic class.

Classification
Scanner 100%
Attack Type
Other
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 2.x
No auth needed
Prerequisites: bash · zip · unzip · access to target JAR/WAR files
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec SCANNER
by CaptanMoss · poc
https://github.com/CaptanMoss/Log4Shell-Sandbox-Signature

This repository contains sandbox signatures for detecting Log4Shell (CVE-2021-45046) exploitation attempts. It includes regex-based detection for Cuckoo and Cape sandbox environments.

Classification
Scanner 90%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 2.x
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Vulnerable Log4j version · Network access to target
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by tejas-nagchandi · poc
https://github.com/tejas-nagchandi/CVE-2021-45046

This repository contains a proof-of-concept for CVE-2021-45046, demonstrating how an attacker can exploit Log4j 2.15.0's incomplete fix for CVE-2021-44228 by using Thread Context Map (MDC) input data with a non-default Pattern Layout to trigger a JNDI Lookup pattern, leading to a denial of service (DoS). The PoC uses a benign lookup pattern (${java:version}) to show the vulnerability without executing malicious payloads.

Classification
Working Poc 90%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 2.15.0
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Log4j 2.15.0 with a non-default Pattern Layout using Context Lookup or Thread Context Map pattern · Control over Thread Context Map (MDC) input data
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
nomisec WORKING POC
by pravin-pp · poc
https://github.com/pravin-pp/log4j2-CVE-2021-45046

This repository contains a Spring Boot application demonstrating CVE-2021-45046, a Log4j2 vulnerability causing a DoS via infinite recursion in context lookups. The PoC includes endpoints that trigger the vulnerability through crafted headers or JSON payloads.

Classification
Working Poc 95%
Attack Type
Dos
Complexity
Trivial
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j 2.0-beta9 to 2.15.0 (via Spring Boot)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to the vulnerable application · Ability to send HTTP requests with crafted headers or payloads
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →
metasploit SCANNER
by Spencer McIntyre · rubypoc
https://github.com/rapid7/metasploit-framework/blob/master/modules/auxiliary/scanner/http/log4shell_scanner.rb

This Metasploit module scans HTTP endpoints for CVE-2021-44228 (Log4Shell) by injecting JNDI payloads into headers and URIs, then listening for LDAP callbacks to confirm vulnerability. It supports custom headers, URIs, and environment variable leakage.

Classification
Scanner 100%
Attack Type
Rce
Complexity
Moderate
Reliability
Reliable
Target: Apache Log4j2 (versions 2.0-beta9 to 2.14.1)
No auth needed
Prerequisites: Network access to target HTTP endpoint · LDAP callback listener
devstral-2 · analyzed Feb 16, 2026 Full analysis →

Nuclei Templates (2)

Apache Log4j2 - Remote Code Injection
CRITICALby princechaddha
Apache Log4j2 - Remote Code Injection
CRITICALby ImNightmaree

References (22)

Core 22
Core References
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2021-0032
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/alert-cve-2021-44228.html
Not Applicable x_refsource_misc
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-44228
Mailing List, Mitigation, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/14/4
Mitigation, Release Notes, Vendor Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/security.html
Third Party Advisory, US Government Resource third-party-advisory x_refsource_cert-vn
https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/930724
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-661247.pdf
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/15/3
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-714170.pdf
Third Party Advisory vendor-advisory x_refsource_debian
https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-5022
Mailing List, Third Party Advisory mailing-list x_refsource_mlist
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/18/1
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-397453.pdf
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_confirm
https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-479842.pdf
Patch, Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
Third Party Advisory x_refsource_misc
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html

Scores

CVSS v3 9.0
EPSS 0.9434
EPSS Percentile 100.0%
Attack Vector NETWORK
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation active
Automatable no
Technical Impact total

Details

CISA KEV 2023-05-01
VulnCheck KEV 2021-12-06
InTheWild.io 2022-05-30
ENISA EUVD EUVD-2021-34769
Ransomware Use Confirmed
CWE
CWE-917
Status published
Products (46)
apache/log4j 2.0 (4 CPE variants)
apache/log4j 2.0.1 - 2.12.2
cvat/computer_vision_annotation_tool
debian/debian_linux 10.0
debian/debian_linux 11.0
fedoraproject/fedora 34
fedoraproject/fedora 35
intel/audio_development_kit
intel/datacenter_manager
intel/genomics_kernel_library
... and 36 more
Published Dec 14, 2021
KEV Added May 01, 2023
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026