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% (57th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-89
- Affected product: Proofpoint Insider Threat Management Server
- Published:
- Last modified:
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% (57th 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
- https://www.proofpoint.com/us/security/security-advisories
- https://www.proofpoint.com/us/security/security-advisories/pfpt-sa-2021-0008
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-2026-54350 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Budibase is an open-source low-code platform. Prior to 3.39.12, an unauthenticated visitor of any published Budibase…
- CVE-2026-8054 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command ('SQL Injection') in the Publish Audit API endpoints…
- CVE-2026-42287 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Emlog is an open source website building system. Prior to version 2.6.11, direct SQL injection in article creation and…
- CVE-2026-3325 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): SQL injection (SQLi) in MegaCMS v12.0.0, specifically in the “id_territorio” parameter of the…
- CVE-2025-10878 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A SQL injection vulnerability exists in the login functionality of Fikir Odalari AdminPando 1.0.1 before 2026-01-26.…
- CVE-2025-57792 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Explorance Blue versions prior to 8.14.9 contain a SQL injection vulnerability caused by insufficient validation of…