How severe is CVE-2021-45231?

CVE-2021-45231 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-45231 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-45231?

CVE-2021-45231 primarily affects Trendmicro Apex One. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-45231?

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-2021-45231 published?

CVE-2021-45231 was published on 2022-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-45231

CVE-2021-45231 is a high-severity vulnerability in Trendmicro Apex One with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. 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-59.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 7.2
EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (46th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-59
Affected product: Trendmicro Apex One
Published: 2022-01-10
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A link following privilege escalation vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One (on-prem and SaaS) and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security (10.0 SP1 and Services) could allow a local attacker to create a specially crafted file with arbitrary content which could grant local privilege escalation on the affected system. Please note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-45231?: A link following privilege escalation vulnerability in Trend Micro Apex One (on-prem and SaaS) and Trend Micro Worry-Free Business Security (10.0 SP1 and Services) could allow a local attacker to create a specially crafted file with arbitrary content which could grant local privilege escalation on the affected system. Please note: an attacker must first obtain the ability to execute low-privileged code on the target system in order to exploit this vulnerability.
How severe is CVE-2021-45231?: CVE-2021-45231 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-45231 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (46th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-45231?: CVE-2021-45231 primarily affects Trendmicro Apex One. In total, 4 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-45231?: 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-2021-45231 published?: CVE-2021-45231 was published on 2022-01-10 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (4)

cpe:2.3:a:trendmicro:apex_one:2019:*:*:*:-:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:trendmicro:apex_one:2019:*:*:*:saas:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:trendmicro:worry-free_business_security:10.0:sp1:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:trendmicro:worry-free_business_security_services:-:*:*:*:saas:*:*:*

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