How severe is CVE-2021-32981?

CVE-2021-32981 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-32981 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (67th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-32981?

CVE-2021-32981 primarily affects Aveva System Platform. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-32981?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-32981 published?

CVE-2021-32981 was published on 2022-04-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-32981

CVE-2021-32981 is a high-severity vulnerability in Aveva System Platform with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-22.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.2)
CVSS v2: 6.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (67th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-22
Affected product: Aveva System Platform
Published: 2022-04-04
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01 uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the software does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-32981?: AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01 uses external input to construct a pathname that is intended to identify a file or directory that is located underneath a restricted parent directory, but the software does not properly neutralize special elements within the pathname that can cause the pathname to resolve to a location that is outside of the restricted directory.
How severe is CVE-2021-32981?: CVE-2021-32981 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.2, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires high privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-32981 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (67th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-32981?: CVE-2021-32981 primarily affects Aveva System Platform. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-32981?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-32981 published?: CVE-2021-32981 was published on 2022-04-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:aveva:system_platform:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:aveva:system_platform:2020:-:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:aveva:system_platform:2020:r2:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:aveva:system_platform:2020:r2_p01:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Aveva System Platform

CVE-2021-33008 — High (CVSS 8.8): AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01 does not perform any authentication for functionality that…
CVE-2022-0835 — High (CVSS 8.1): AVEVA System Platform 2020 stores sensitive information in cleartext, which may allow access to an attacker or a…
CVE-2023-33873 — High (CVSS 7.8): This privilege escalation vulnerability, if exploited, cloud allow a local OS-authenticated user with standard…
CVE-2021-33010 — High (CVSS 7.5): An exception is thrown from a function in AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01, but it is not…
CVE-2021-38410 — High (CVSS 7.3): AVEVA Software Platform Common Services (PCS) Portal versions 4.5.2, 4.5.1, 4.5.0, and 4.4.6 are vulnerable to DLL…
CVE-2021-32985 — High (CVSS 7.2): AVEVA System Platform versions 2017 through 2020 R2 P01 does not properly verify that the source of data or…

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