CVE-2021-43479: A Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in The-Secretary 2.5 via install.php.

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2021-43479 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting the secretary. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

A Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in The-Secretary 2.5 via install.php.

Why this priority

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

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.5% (top 15%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2022-03-31
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: secretarycms

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-03-31 20:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

secretarycms the secretary DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.5

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.5

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy the-secretary || rpm -q the-secretary || the-secretary --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.5 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison the-secretary sudo apt install the-secretary=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5> sudo apt-mark hold the-secretary

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list the-secretary sudo dnf downgrade the-secretary-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.5> sudo dnf versionlock add the-secretary

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-2021-43479?

the secretary: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-43479 being exploited?

CVE-2021-43479 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-2021-43479 affect?

CVE-2021-43479 affects the secretary. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). A Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerability exists in The-Secretary 2.5 via install.php.

How urgent is CVE-2021-43479?

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

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities

References

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