CVE-2021-21433: RCE in Discord-Recon Server
Platform
python
Component
discord-recon
Fixed in
0.0.2
CVE-2021-21433 describes a Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability within Discord-Recon Server, a bot designed for reconnaissance tasks. This vulnerability allows unauthorized remote users to execute commands on the server, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects versions of Discord-Recon Server up to and including 0.0.1, and a fix is available in version 0.0.2.
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Impact and Attack Scenarios
The impact of this RCE vulnerability is severe. An attacker exploiting this flaw gains the ability to execute arbitrary commands on the server hosting the Discord-Recon bot. This could lead to data exfiltration, malware installation, system takeover, and lateral movement within the network. Depending on the server's configuration and access privileges, the attacker could potentially compromise other systems connected to the same network. The bot's reconnaissance capabilities could also be abused to gather sensitive information about the target environment.
Exploitation Context
This vulnerability was publicly disclosed on April 9, 2021. While no active exploitation campaigns have been definitively linked to CVE-2021-21433, the ease of exploitation and the potential impact make it a high-priority target. No public proof-of-concept (PoC) code has been widely distributed, but the vulnerability's nature suggests that such code could be developed relatively easily. It is not listed on the CISA KEV catalog as of this writing.
Threat Intelligence
Exploit Status
EPSS
5.41% (90% percentile)
CVSS Vector
What do these metrics mean?
- Attack Vector
- Network — remotely exploitable over the internet. No physical or local access required. Widest attack surface.
- Attack Complexity
- Low — no special conditions required. Attacker can exploit reliably without depending on rare configurations or timing.
- Privileges Required
- Low — any valid user account is sufficient. Basic authenticated access required.
- User Interaction
- None — attack is automatic and silent. Victim does nothing: no click, no file open.
- Scope
- Changed — successful attack can pivot beyond the vulnerable component to other systems or the host OS.
- Confidentiality
- Low — partial or indirect data access. Attacker gains limited information.
- Integrity
- High — attacker can write, modify, or delete any data: databases, config files, or code.
- Availability
- High — complete crash or resource exhaustion. Full denial of service.
Affected Software
Weakness Classification (CWE)
Timeline
- Reserved
- Published
- Modified
- EPSS updated
Mitigation and Workarounds
The primary mitigation for CVE-2021-21433 is to immediately upgrade Discord-Recon Server to version 0.0.2 or later. If upgrading is not immediately feasible due to compatibility issues or downtime concerns, consider isolating the affected server from the network to prevent potential exploitation. While a direct WAF rule is unlikely to be effective, monitoring server logs for suspicious command execution attempts is recommended. After upgrading, verify the fix by attempting to execute a command through the bot interface and confirming that it is rejected.
How to fix
Update the version of Discord-Recon to 0.0.2 or higher. This version fixes the remote code execution vulnerability due to improper input validation. You can update the package using pip: `pip install discord-recon==0.0.2`.
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Frequently asked questions
What is CVE-2021-21433 — Remote Code Execution in Discord-Recon Server?
CVE-2021-21433 is a critical RCE vulnerability affecting Discord-Recon Server versions 0.0.1 and earlier, allowing attackers to execute commands on the server.
Am I affected by CVE-2021-21433 in Discord-Recon Server?
You are affected if you are running Discord-Recon Server version 0.0.1 or earlier. Upgrade to version 0.0.2 to resolve the vulnerability.
How do I fix CVE-2021-21433 in Discord-Recon Server?
Upgrade Discord-Recon Server to version 0.0.2 or later. If immediate upgrade is not possible, isolate the server to prevent exploitation.
Is CVE-2021-21433 being actively exploited?
While no confirmed active exploitation campaigns are publicly known, the vulnerability's severity and ease of exploitation make it a potential target.
Where can I find the official Discord-Recon advisory for CVE-2021-21433?
Refer to the project's repository or documentation for the official advisory and release notes regarding the fix.
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