CVE-2021-43042: An issue was discovered in Kaseya Unitrends Backup Appliance before 10.5.5

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-43042 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting unitrends backup. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in Kaseya Unitrends Backup Appliance before 10.5.5. A buffer overflow existed in the vaultServer component. This was exploitable by a remote unauthenticated attacker.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.0% (top 13%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-120
Published	2021-12-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: kaseya

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-12-06 04:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

kaseya unitrends backup UPGRADE

Affected: >= 10.0 and < 10.5.5

Fixed in: 10.5.5

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 10.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy unitrends-backup || rpm -q unitrends-backup || unitrends-backup --version

2. UPGRADE to 10.5.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade unitrends-backup

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade unitrends-backup

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 10.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison unitrends-backup sudo apt install unitrends-backup=<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0> sudo apt-mark hold unitrends-backup

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

dnf --showduplicates list unitrends-backup sudo dnf downgrade unitrends-backup-<VERSION_BEFORE_10.0> sudo dnf versionlock add unitrends-backup

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.

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-2021-43042?

unitrends backup: upgrade to 10.5.5. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-43042 being exploited?

CVE-2021-43042 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-2021-43042 affect?

CVE-2021-43042 affects unitrends backup. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). An issue was discovered in Kaseya Unitrends Backup Appliance before 10.5.5. A buffer overflow existed in the vaultServer component. This was exploitable by a remote unauthenticated attacker.

How urgent is CVE-2021-43042?

Priority 66/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-43044 CRITICAL 9.8 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Kaseya Unitrends Backup Appliance before 10.5.5
CVE-2021-43043 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Kaseya Unitrends Backup Appliance before 10.5.5
CVE-2021-43041 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Kaseya Unitrends Backup Appliance before 10.5.5
CVE-2021-43040 HIGH 8.8 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Kaseya Unitrends Backup Appliance before 10.5.5
CVE-2021-43039 MEDIUM 6.5 UPGRADE An issue was discovered in Kaseya Unitrends Backup Appliance before 10.5.5

References

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