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Atomicorp WAF Research Note: CVE-2021-45046

Apache Log4j2 - Remote Code Injection

CVE Details

Already protected by existing Atomicorp WAF rules
Protection status: Understanding Atomicorp WAF Protection Status
CVE: CVE-2021-45046
Name: Apache Log4j2 - Remote Code Injection
Severity: Critical
CVSS: 9.0 (v3.1) (Critical)
CVSS version: 3.1
CVSS source: NVD
CVSS vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Attack vector: Network
- Attack complexity: High
- Privileges required: None
- User interaction: None
- Scope: Changed
- Confidentiality impact: High
- Integrity impact: High
- Availability impact: High
CWE: CWE-917 — Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an Expression Language Statement (‘Expression Language Injection’)
Vendor: apache
Vulnerable products: log4j , computer vision annotation tool , audio development kit , datacenter manager , genomics kernel library , oneapi , secure device onboard , sensor solution firmware development kit , system debugger , system studio , sppa-t3000 ses3000 firmware , captial , comos , desigo cc advanced reports , desigo cc info center , e-car operation center , energy engage , energyip , energyip prepay , gma-manager , head-end system universal device integration system , industrial edge management , industrial edge management hub , logo! soft comfort , mendix , mindsphere , navigator , nx , opcenter intelligence , operation scheduler , sentron powermanager , siguard dsa , sipass integrated , siveillance command , siveillance control pro , siveillance identity , siveillance vantage , siveillance viewpoint , solid edge cam pro , solid edge harness design , spectrum power 4 , spectrum power 7 , teamcenter , tracealertserverplus , vesys , xpedition enterprise , xpedition package integrator , debian linux , email security , fedora , 6bk1602-0aa12-0tp0 firmware , 6bk1602-0aa22-0tp0 firmware , 6bk1602-0aa32-0tp0 firmware , 6bk1602-0aa42-0tp0 firmware , 6bk1602-0aa52-0tp0 firmware
CVE published: 2021-12-14
CVE last modified: 2026-06-17
Affected versions (NVD configurations):
- log4j: >= 2.0.1, < 2.12.2
- log4j: >= 2.13.0, < 2.16.0
- log4j: 2.0
- log4j: 2.0 beta9
- log4j: 2.0 rc1
- log4j: 2.0 rc2
- computer vision annotation tool
- audio development kit
- datacenter manager
- genomics kernel library
- oneapi
- secure device onboard
- sensor solution firmware development kit
- system debugger
- system studio
- sppa-t3000 ses3000 firmware
- captial: < 2019.1
- captial: 2019.1
- captial: 2019.1 SP1912
- comos
- desigo cc advanced reports: 4.0
- desigo cc advanced reports: 4.1
- desigo cc advanced reports: 4.2
- desigo cc advanced reports: 5.0
- desigo cc advanced reports: 5.1
- desigo cc info center: 5.0
- desigo cc info center: 5.1
- e-car operation center: < 2021-12-13
- energy engage: 3.1
- energyip: 8.5
- energyip: 8.6
- energyip: 8.7
- energyip: 9.0
- energyip prepay: 3.7
- energyip prepay: 3.8
- gma-manager: < 8.6.2j-398
- head-end system universal device integration system
- industrial edge management
- industrial edge management hub: < 2021-12-13
- logo! soft comfort
- mendix
- mindsphere: < 2021-12-11
- navigator: < 2021-12-13
- nx
- opcenter intelligence: <= 3.2
- operation scheduler: <= 1.1.3
- sentron powermanager: 4.1
- sentron powermanager: 4.2
- siguard dsa: 4.2
- siguard dsa: 4.3
- siguard dsa: 4.4
- sipass integrated: 2.80
- sipass integrated: 2.85
- siveillance command: <= 4.16.2.1
- siveillance control pro
- siveillance identity: 1.5
- siveillance identity: 1.6
- siveillance vantage
- siveillance viewpoint
- solid edge cam pro
- solid edge harness design: < 2020
- solid edge harness design: 2020
- solid edge harness design: 2020 SP2002
- spectrum power 4: < 4.70
- spectrum power 4: 4.70
- spectrum power 4: 4.70 SP7
- spectrum power 4: 4.70 SP8
- spectrum power 7: < 2.30
- spectrum power 7: 2.30
- spectrum power 7: 2.30 SP2
- teamcenter
- tracealertserverplus
- vesys: < 2019.1
- vesys: 2019.1
- vesys: 2019.1 SP1912
- xpedition enterprise
- xpedition package integrator
- debian linux: 10.0
- debian linux: 11.0
- email security: < 10.0.12
- fedora: 34
- fedora: 35
- 6bk1602-0aa12-0tp0 firmware: < 2.7.0
- 6bk1602-0aa22-0tp0 firmware: < 2.7.0
- 6bk1602-0aa32-0tp0 firmware: < 2.7.0
- 6bk1602-0aa42-0tp0 firmware: < 2.7.0
- 6bk1602-0aa52-0tp0 firmware: < 2.7.0
EPSS: 0.9998; 100.0th percentile (FIRST (opens in a new tab) )
CISA KEV: Listed (added 2023-05-01)
- Known ransomware campaign use: Known
Latest Update: 2026-09-06
Selected Rule IDs observed: 345115 , 345117 , 345118 , 393655
Matching rules: 4; rules with blocking actions: 4
Would-block Rule IDs: 345115 , 345117 , 345118 , 393655
Request surfaces inspected: JSON request data, Request URI, Request argument names, Request arguments, Request cookies, Request headers, SOAP request data, XML request data

Technical CPE data

This section lists vulnerable CPE matches retained from the NVD configurations. It supplements the readable affected-product information above.

cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4j:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version start (inclusive): 2.0.1
- Version end (exclusive): 2.12.2
- NVD match criteria ID: 155A3CFA-903D-4DC9-9A64-C964FAABACC4
cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4j:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version start (inclusive): 2.13.0
- Version end (exclusive): 2.16.0
- NVD match criteria ID: 88DD4847-0961-4CC4-90FC-DFCDC235F62F
cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4j:2.0:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 17854E42-7063-4A55-BF2A-4C7074CC2D60
cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4j:2.0:beta9:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 53F32FB2-6970-4975-8BD0-EAE12E9AD03A
cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4j:2.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: B773ED91-1D39-42E6-9C52-D02210DE1A94
cpe:2.3:a:apache:log4j:2.0:rc2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: EF24312D-1A62-482E-8078-7EC24758B710
cpe:2.3:a:cvat:computer_vision_annotation_tool:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 99BBE644-5421-472E-8595-5279E0CC67B1
cpe:2.3:a:intel:audio_development_kit:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 099344DD-8AEE-49A0-88A8-691A8A1E651F
cpe:2.3:a:intel:datacenter_manager:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 070C1452-C349-4953-A748-3039F2217811
cpe:2.3:a:intel:genomics_kernel_library:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 18989EBC-E1FB-473B-83E0-48C8896C2E96
cpe:2.3:a:intel:oneapi:-:*:*:*:*:eclipse:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 720D3597-B74B-4540-AD50-80884183D5DE
cpe:2.3:a:intel:secure_device_onboard:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 22BEE177-D117-478C-8EAD-9606DEDF9FD5
cpe:2.3:a:intel:sensor_solution_firmware_development_kit:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: F021E2E7-0D8F-4336-82A6-77E521347C4F
cpe:2.3:a:intel:system_debugger:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 1F66B0A2-22C0-41D5-B866-1764DEC12CB2
cpe:2.3:a:intel:system_studio:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: FC619106-991C-413A-809D-C2410EBA4CDB
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:sppa-t3000_ses3000_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: E8320869-CBF4-4C92-885C-560C09855BFA
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:captial:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2019.1
- NVD match criteria ID: 07856DAA-EDB4-4522-BA16-CD302C9E39EF
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:captial:2019.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: F7AD819D-D093-472E-AA47-1A925111E4C8
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:captial:2019.1:sp1912:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 2D07A11A-A3C6-4D44-B2E0-A8358D23947A
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:comos:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 61597661-A3B0-4A14-AA6B-C911E0063390
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:desigo_cc_advanced_reports:4.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: BB524B33-68E7-46A2-B5CE-BCD9C3194B8B
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:desigo_cc_advanced_reports:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 5F852C6D-44A0-4CCE-83C7-4501CAD73F9F
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:desigo_cc_advanced_reports:4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: AA61161C-C2E7-4852-963E-E2D3DFBFDC7B
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:desigo_cc_advanced_reports:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: A76AA04A-BB43-4027-895E-D1EACFCDF41B
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:desigo_cc_advanced_reports:5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 2A6B60F3-327B-49B7-B5E4-F1C60896C9BB
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:desigo_cc_info_center:5.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 4BCF281E-B0A2-49E2-AEF8-8691BDCE08D5
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:desigo_cc_info_center:5.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: A87EFCC4-4BC1-4FEA-BAA4-8FF221838EBD
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:e-car_operation_center:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2021-12-13
- NVD match criteria ID: B678380B-E95E-4A8B-A49D-D13B62AA454E
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:energy_engage:3.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 4557476B-0157-44C2-BB50-299E7C7E1E72
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:energyip:8.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 991B2959-5AA3-4B68-A05A-42D9860FAA9D
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:energyip:8.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 7E5948A0-CA31-41DF-85B6-1E6D09E5720B
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:energyip:8.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 4C08D302-EEAC-45AA-9943-3A5F09E29FAB
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:energyip:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: D53BA68C-B653-4507-9A2F-177CF456960F
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:energyip_prepay:3.7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 1F0C3D5E-579F-42C6-9D8C-37969A1D17D2
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:energyip_prepay:3.8:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 2C16C460-9482-4A22-92AC-1AE0E87D7F28
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:gma-manager:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 8.6.2j-398
- NVD match criteria ID: 0E180527-5C36-4158-B017-5BEDC0412FD6
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:head-end_system_universal_device_integration_system:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: AFDADA98-1CD0-45DA-9082-BFC383F7DB97
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:industrial_edge_management:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: E33D707F-100E-4DE7-A05B-42467DE75EAC
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:industrial_edge_management_hub:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2021-12-13
- NVD match criteria ID: DD3EAC80-44BE-41D2-8D57-0EE3DBA1E1B1
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:logo\!_soft_comfort:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 2AC8AB52-F4F4-440D-84F5-2776BFE1957A
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:mendix:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 6AF6D774-AC8C-49CA-A00B-A2740CA8FA91
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:mindsphere:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2021-12-11
- NVD match criteria ID: 6423B1A7-F09F-421A-A0AC-3059CB89B110
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:navigator:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2021-12-13
- NVD match criteria ID: 48C6A61B-2198-4B9E-8BCF-824643C81EC3
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:nx:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: BEE2F7A1-8281-48F1-8BFB-4FE0D7E1AEF4
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:opcenter_intelligence:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (inclusive): 3.2
- NVD match criteria ID: C74B9880-FFF9-48CA-974F-54FB80F30D2D
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:operation_scheduler:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (inclusive): 1.1.3
- NVD match criteria ID: 74D1F4AD-9A60-4432-864F-4505B3C60659
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:sentron_powermanager:4.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 7ABA5332-8D1E-4129-A557-FCECBAC12827
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:sentron_powermanager:4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 9C3AA865-5570-4C8B-99DE-431AD7B163F1
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siguard_dsa:4.2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 00E03FB6-37F9-4559-8C86-F203D6782920
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siguard_dsa:4.3:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 90439591-BA01-4007-A2B6-B316548D4595
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siguard_dsa:4.4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: E1F3B8B4-4D1B-4913-BD5F-1A04B47F829A
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:sipass_integrated:2.80:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 83E77D85-0AE8-41D6-AC0C-983A8B73C831
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:sipass_integrated:2.85:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 02B28A44-3708-480D-9D6D-DDF8C21A15EC
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siveillance_command:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (inclusive): 4.16.2.1
- NVD match criteria ID: 2FC0A575-F771-4B44-A0C6-6A5FD98E5134
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siveillance_control_pro:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 6D1D6B61-1F17-4008-9DFB-EF419777768E
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siveillance_identity:1.5:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 9772EE3F-FFC5-4611-AD9A-8AD8304291BB
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siveillance_identity:1.6:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: CF524892-278F-4373-A8A3-02A30FA1AFF4
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siveillance_vantage:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: F30DE588-9479-46AA-8346-EA433EE83A5F
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:siveillance_viewpoint:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 4941EAD6-8759-4C72-ABA6-259C0E838216
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:solid_edge_cam_pro:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 5BF2708F-0BD9-41BF-8CB1-4D06C4EFB777
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:solid_edge_harness_design:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2020
- NVD match criteria ID: 0762031C-DFF1-4962-AE05-0778B27324B9
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:solid_edge_harness_design:2020:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 96271088-1D1B-4378-8ABF-11DAB3BB4DDC
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:solid_edge_harness_design:2020:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 2595AD24-2DF2-4080-B780-BC03F810B9A9
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:solid_edge_harness_design:2020:sp2002:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 88096F08-F261-4E3E-9EEB-2AB0225CD6F3
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:spectrum_power_4:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 4.70
- NVD match criteria ID: 044994F7-8127-4F03-AA1A-B2AB41D68AF5
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:spectrum_power_4:4.70:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: A6CB3A8D-9577-41FB-8AC4-0DF8DE6A519C
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:spectrum_power_4:4.70:sp7:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 17B7C211-6339-4AF2-9564-94C7DE52EEB7
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:spectrum_power_4:4.70:sp8:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: DBCCBBBA-9A4F-4354-91EE-10A1460BBA3F
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:spectrum_power_7:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2.30
- NVD match criteria ID: 12F81F6B-E455-4367-ADA4-8A5EC7F4754A
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:spectrum_power_7:2.30:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: A5EF509E-3799-4718-B361-EFCBA17AEEF3
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:spectrum_power_7:2.30:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 8CA31645-29FC-4432-9BFC-C98A808DB8CF
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:spectrum_power_7:2.30:sp2:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: BB424991-0B18-4FFC-965F-FCF4275F56C5
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:teamcenter:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 1B209EFE-77F2-48CD-A880-ABA0A0A81AB1
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:tracealertserverplus:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 6340621E-0FAF-4684-B457-E621E51E13A1
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:vesys:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2019.1
- NVD match criteria ID: 72D238AB-4A1F-458D-897E-2C93DCD7BA6C
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:vesys:2019.1:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 9778339A-EA93-4D18-9A03-4EB4CBD25459
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:vesys:2019.1:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 1747F127-AB45-4325-B9A1-F3D12E69FFC8
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:vesys:2019.1:sp1912:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 18BBEF7C-F686-4129-8EE9-0F285CE38845
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:xpedition_enterprise:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: AD525494-2807-48EA-AED0-11B9CB5A6A9B
cpe:2.3:a:siemens:xpedition_package_integrator:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 1EDCBF98-A857-48BC-B04D-6F36A1975AA5
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 07B237A9-69A3-4A9C-9DA0-4E06BD37AE73
cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: FA6FEEC2-9F11-4643-8827-749718254FED
cpe:2.3:a:sonicwall:email_security:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 10.0.12
- NVD match criteria ID: B5BAA8A5-74B3-48EB-8287-302927197A4E
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:34:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: A930E247-0B43-43CB-98FF-6CE7B8189835
cpe:2.3:o:fedoraproject:fedora:35:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- NVD match criteria ID: 80E516C0-98A4-4ADE-B69F-66A772E2BAAA
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:6bk1602-0aa12-0tp0_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2.7.0
- NVD match criteria ID: BD64FC36-CC7B-4FD7-9845-7EA1DDB0E627
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:6bk1602-0aa22-0tp0_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2.7.0
- NVD match criteria ID: D0012304-B1C8-460A-B891-42EBF96504F5
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:6bk1602-0aa32-0tp0_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2.7.0
- NVD match criteria ID: B02BCF56-D9D3-4BF3-85A2-D445E997F5EC
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:6bk1602-0aa42-0tp0_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2.7.0
- NVD match criteria ID: 4A2DB5BA-1065-467A-8FB6-81B5EC29DC0C
cpe:2.3:o:siemens:6bk1602-0aa52-0tp0_firmware:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- Version end (exclusive): 2.7.0
- NVD match criteria ID: 809EB87E-561A-4DE5-9FF3-BBEE0FA3706E

Vulnerability 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.

Recommended Actions

Maintain the observed Atomicorp protections. Keep your Atomicorp commercial rules current and confirm that the selected observed rules (345115 , 345117 , 345118 , 393655 ) have not been locally disabled. Atomicorp commercial rules are enabled by default. If you use Atomic WAF, review the applicable policy and rule settings.
Apply the vendor’s remediation. WAF protection is defense in depth and does not replace upgrading or following the affected vendor’s guidance.
- Affected versions: Apache Software Foundation Apache Log4j versions earlier than 2.16.0.
- The CVE record does not include written upgrade or workaround instructions, but it does publish the following patch or mitigation reference:
- CISA KEV required action: Apply updates per vendor instructions.
- CISA KEV federal remediation due date: 2023-05-22
Validate after changes. Confirm rule updates are current, review WAF events for the affected application, and test application behavior after vendor upgrades, mitigations, or local policy changes.

Research Notes

Atomicorp WAF protections are designed around attack techniques and exploit behaviors, allowing existing protections to apply across multiple vulnerabilities without requiring a unique rule for every CVE.

Public Vulnerability References

NVD (opens in a new tab)
CVE Record (opens in a new tab)
Patch or mitigation: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/14/4 (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/15/3 (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2021/12/18/1 (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-397453.pdf (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-479842.pdf (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-661247.pdf (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-714170.pdf (opens in a new tab)
Patch or mitigation: https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/EOKPQGV24RRBBI4TBZUDQMM4MEH7MXCY/ (opens in a new tab)
Patch or mitigation: https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/SIG7FZULMNK2XF6FZRU4VWYDQXNMUGAJ/ (opens in a new tab)
Vendor advisory: https://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/security.html (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2021-0032 (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202310-16 (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-apache-log4j-qRuKNEbd (opens in a new tab)
CVE authority reference: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-44228 (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://www.debian.org/security/2021/dsa-5022 (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/security-center/advisory/intel-sa-00646.html (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/930724 (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/alert-cve-2021-44228.html (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html (opens in a new tab)
Patch or mitigation: https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujan2022.html (opens in a new tab)
Exploit or technical research: https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2022.html (opens in a new tab)
CVE authority reference: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2021-45046 (opens in a new tab)

MITRE ATT&CK Context

The following mappings are published by the MITRE Center for Threat-Informed Defense and describe exploitation behavior or potential impact; they do not claim that a WAF rule implements the ATT&CK technique.

Secondary Impact: T1486 — Data Encrypted for Impact (opens in a new tab)
Primary Impact: T1059 — Command and Scripting Interpreter (opens in a new tab)

Test or Research Source

Source: http/cves/2021/CVE-2021-45046.yaml (opens in a new tab)
Tags: apache, cve, cve2021, injection, kev, log4j, oast, rce, vkev, vuln

Research Note Context

This research note documents exploit-technique analysis associated with this vulnerability and references Atomicorp WAF protections observed during engineering review, testing, or validation activities.

Atomicorp security controls are generally designed to identify and mitigate attack techniques and exploit behaviors rather than individual CVE identifiers. As a result, protections developed for one vulnerability may also apply to related attack variants and future vulnerabilities using similar techniques.

Learn More

Atomicorp develops commercially supported security technologies for web applications, servers, endpoints, workloads, and legacy enterprise platforms.

Organizations interested in protecting systems against exploit techniques associated with vulnerabilities such as this one can learn more about:

Atomic ModSecurity Rules: commercially maintained WAF rules for ModSecurity deployments, including protections for web attacks, bots, scanners, malware, exploitation attempts, and emerging vulnerability classes.
Atomic WAF: an enterprise web application firewall with Atomicorp rules, centralized management, reporting, authentication controls, and operational tooling.
Atomic ModSecurity Integrator: a special licensing option for MSPs, MSSPs, OEMs, VARs, reverse proxy providers, and other integrators who want to incorporate Atomicorp ModSecurity rule technology into their own products or services.
Atomic OSSEC: an enterprise OSSEC-based intrusion detection, compliance, and security monitoring platform.
Atomic Protector: workload protection for Linux, web, cloud, data center, and hybrid environments.

For additional information, product evaluations, or technical discussions, visit https://www.atomicorp.com/ or https://modsecurity.io/ (opens in a new tab) .