CVE-2021-31581: The restricted shell provided by Akkadian Provisioning Manager Engine (PME) can be escaped by abusing the 'Edi

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HIGH 7.9UPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-31581 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.9) affecting ova appliance, provisioning manager. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

The restricted shell provided by Akkadian Provisioning Manager Engine (PME) can be escaped by abusing the 'Edit MySQL Configuration' command. This command launches a standard vi editor interface which can then be escaped. This issue was resolved in Akkadian OVA appliance version 3.0 (and later), Akkadian Provisioning Manager 5.0.2 (and later), and Akkadian Appliance Manager 3.3.0.314-4a349e0 (and later).

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.9 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	1.2% (top 33%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-269, CWE-312
Published	2021-07-22
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): Rapid7, Inc. · Vendor: akkadianlabs

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-07-22 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:52 UTCUpdated Record last modified

akkadianlabs ova appliance UPGRADE

Affected: < 3.0

Fixed in: 3.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy ova-appliance || rpm -q ova-appliance || ova-appliance --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade ova-appliance

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade ova-appliance

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

akkadianlabs provisioning manager UPGRADE

Affected: >= 3.0.0 and < 3.3.0.314-4a349e0 · >= 4.0.0 and < 5.0.2

Fixed in: 3.3.0.314-4a349e0, 5.0.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 3.0.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy provisioning-manager || rpm -q provisioning-manager || provisioning-manager --version

2. UPGRADE to 3.3.0.314-4a349e0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade provisioning-manager

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade provisioning-manager

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 3.0.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison provisioning-manager sudo apt install provisioning-manager=<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.0> sudo apt-mark hold provisioning-manager

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list provisioning-manager sudo dnf downgrade provisioning-manager-<VERSION_BEFORE_3.0.0> sudo dnf versionlock add provisioning-manager

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Nuclei scan template: Akkadian Provisioning Manager - Information Disclosure

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-31581?

ova appliance: upgrade to 3.0; provisioning manager: upgrade to 3.3.0.314-4a349e0, 5.0.2. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-31581 being exploited?

CVE-2021-31581 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-31581 affect?

CVE-2021-31581 affects ova appliance, provisioning manager. Severity is high (CVSS 7.9). The restricted shell provided by Akkadian Provisioning Manager Engine (PME) can be escaped by abusing the 'Edit MySQL Configuration' command. This command launches a standard vi editor interface which can then be escaped. This issue was res

How urgent is CVE-2021-31581?

Priority 49/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

MySQL vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-31580 HIGH 8.7 UPGRADE UPGRADE The restricted shell provided by Akkadian Provisioning Manager Engine (PME) can be bypassed by switching the O
CVE-2021-31579 HIGH 8.2 UPGRADE UPGRADE Akkadian Provisioning Manager Engine (PME) ships with a hard-coded credential, akkadianuser:haakkadianpassword

References

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