CVE-2021-42392
CVE-2021-42392 is a critical-severity vulnerability in H2database H2 with a CVSS 3.x base score of 9.8. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 63% places it in the 99th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-502.
Key facts
- Severity: Critical (CVSS 3.x base score 9.8)
- CVSS v2: 10.0
- EPSS exploit prediction: 63% (99th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-502
- Affected product: H2database H2
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
The org.h2.util.JdbcUtils.getConnection method of the H2 database takes as parameters the class name of the driver and URL of the database. An attacker may pass a JNDI driver name and a URL leading to a LDAP or RMI servers, causing remote code execution. This can be exploited through various attack vectors, most notably through the H2 Console which leads to unauthenticated remote code execution.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2021-42392?
- The org.h2.util.JdbcUtils.getConnection method of the H2 database takes as parameters the class name of the driver and URL of the database. An attacker may pass a JNDI driver name and a URL leading to a LDAP or RMI servers, causing remote code execution. This can be exploited through various attack vectors, most notably through the H2 Console which leads to unauthenticated remote code execution.
- How severe is CVE-2021-42392?
- CVE-2021-42392 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-2021-42392 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 63% (99th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2021-42392?
- CVE-2021-42392 primarily affects H2database H2. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2021-42392?
- 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-2021-42392 published?
- CVE-2021-42392 was published on 2022-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://github.com/h2database/h2database/security/advisories/GHSA-h376-j262-vhq6
- https://jfrog.com/blog/the-jndi-strikes-back-unauthenticated-rce-in-h2-database-console/
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/02/msg00017.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220119-0001/
- https://www.debian.org/security/2022/dsa-5076
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2022.html
- https://www.secpod.com/blog/log4shell-critical-remote-code-execution-vulnerability-in-h2database-console/
Affected products (5)
- cpe:2.3:a:h2database:h2:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:9.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:10.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:debian:debian_linux:11.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:oracle:communications_cloud_native_core_policy:1.15.0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in H2database H2
- CVE-2022-23221 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): H2 Console before 2.1.210 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a jdbc:h2:mem JDBC URL containing the…
- CVE-2018-10054 — High (CVSS 8.8): H2 1.4.197, as used in Datomic before 0.9.5697 and other products, allows remote code execution because CREATE ALIAS…
- CVE-2022-45868 — High (CVSS 8.4): The web-based admin console in H2 Database Engine before 2.2.220 can be started via the CLI with the argument…
- CVE-2021-23463 — High (CVSS 8.1): The package com.h2database:h2 from 1.4.198 and before 2.0.202 are vulnerable to XML External Entity (XXE) Injection via…
- CVE-2018-14335 — Medium (CVSS 6.5): An issue was discovered in H2 1.4.197. Insecure handling of permissions in the backup function allows attackers to read…
All CVEs affecting H2database H2 →
Other CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data) vulnerabilities
- CVE-2026-41104 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Deserialization of untrusted data in Microsoft Planetary Computer Pro allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose…
- CVE-2026-43633 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): HestiaCP versions 1.9.0 through 1.9.4 contain a deserialization vulnerability in the web terminal component caused by a…
- CVE-2026-33819 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Deserialization of untrusted data in Microsoft Bing allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
- CVE-2026-20131 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): A vulnerability in the web-based management interface of Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center (FMC) Software could…
- CVE-2026-25632 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): EPyT-Flow is a Python package designed for the easy generation of hydraulic and water quality scenario data of water…
- CVE-2025-14931 — Critical (CVSS 10.0): Hugging Face smolagents Remote Python Executor Deserialization of Untrusted Data Remote Code Execution Vulnerability.…
Browse all CWE-502 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data) vulnerabilities →