How severe is CVE-2021-40842?

CVE-2021-40842 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-40842 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (61st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-40842?

CVE-2021-40842 primarily affects Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-40842?

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

When was CVE-2021-40842 published?

CVE-2021-40842 was published on 2021-10-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-40842

CVE-2021-40842 is a critical-severity vulnerability in Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. 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-89.

Key facts

Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
CVSS v2: 7.5
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (61st percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-89
Affected product: Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server
Published: 2021-10-13
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server contains a SQL injection vulnerability in the Web Console. The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation on the database name parameter required in certain unauthenticated APIs. A malicious URL visited by anyone with network access to the server could be used to blindly execute arbitrary SQL statements on the backend database. Version 7.12.0 and all versions prior to 7.11.2 are affected.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-40842?: Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server contains a SQL injection vulnerability in the Web Console. The vulnerability exists due to improper input validation on the database name parameter required in certain unauthenticated APIs. A malicious URL visited by anyone with network access to the server could be used to blindly execute arbitrary SQL statements on the backend database. Version 7.12.0 and all versions prior to 7.11.2 are affected.
How severe is CVE-2021-40842?: CVE-2021-40842 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8, rated critical severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-40842 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (61st percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-40842?: CVE-2021-40842 primarily affects Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-40842?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its critical severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-40842 published?: CVE-2021-40842 was published on 2021-10-13 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (2)

cpe:2.3:a:proofpoint:insider_threat_management_server:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:proofpoint:insider_threat_management_server:7.12.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server

CVE-2020-10658 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server (formerly ObserveIT Server) before 7.9.1 contains a vulnerability in…
CVE-2020-10656 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server (formerly ObserveIT Server) before 7.9.1 contains a vulnerability in…
CVE-2020-10655 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server (formerly ObserveIT Server) before 7.9.1 contains a vulnerability in…
CVE-2021-40843 — High (CVSS 7.3): Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server contains an unsafe deserialization vulnerability in the Web Console. An…
CVE-2020-10657 — High (CVSS 7.2): The Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server (formerly ObserveIT Server) before 7.9.1 contains a vulnerability in…
CVE-2023-36000 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): A missing authorization check in the MacOS agent configuration endpoint of the Insider Threat Management Server enables…

All CVEs affecting Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server →

Other CWE-89 (SQL Injection) vulnerabilities

CVE-2026-74820 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): ServiceNow has remediated a SQL injection vulnerability that was identified in in the ServiceNow AI platform. This…
CVE-2026-20030 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): As part of Cisco's ongoing commitment to proactive security and product quality, the Cisco Crosswork engineering team…
CVE-2026-72811 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): SiYuan versions <= v3.7.2 contain a SQL injection vulnerability in the backlink/mention search query…
CVE-2026-72851 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Budibase before 3.40.0 contains an unauthenticated SQL injection vulnerability in webhook-triggered automations with…
CVE-2026-72899 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Metabase allows an unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL via a publicly shared card or dashboard that…
CVE-2026-72898 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Metabase allows a remote, unauthenticated attacker to inject arbitrary SQL via the '/reset_password' database endpoint…

Browse all CWE-89 (SQL Injection) vulnerabilities →