CVE-2021-43609: An issue was discovered in Spiceworks Help Desk Server before 1.3.3

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-43609?

help desk server: upgrade to 1.3.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-43609 being exploited?

CVE-2021-43609 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-43609 affect?

CVE-2021-43609 affects help desk server. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.9). An issue was discovered in Spiceworks Help Desk Server before 1.3.3. A Blind Boolean SQL injection vulnerability within the order_by_for_ticket function in app/models/reporting/database_query.rb allows an authenticated attacker to execute a

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-43609?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference

This week

CRITICAL 9.9UPGRADE

CVE-2021-43609 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.9) affecting help desk server. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

An issue was discovered in Spiceworks Help Desk Server before 1.3.3. A Blind Boolean SQL injection vulnerability within the order_by_for_ticket function in app/models/reporting/database_query.rb allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the sort parameter. This can be leveraged to leak local files from the host system, leading to remote code execution (RCE) through deserialization of malicious data.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.9 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	2.0% (top 19%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-89
Published	2023-11-09
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: spiceworks

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-11-09 00:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:11 UTCUpdated Record last modified

spiceworks help desk server UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.3.3

Fixed in: 1.3.3

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy help-desk-server || rpm -q help-desk-server || help-desk-server --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.3.3 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade help-desk-server

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade help-desk-server

Note

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

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-2021-43609?

help desk server: upgrade to 1.3.3. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-43609 being exploited?

CVE-2021-43609 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-2021-43609 affect?

CVE-2021-43609 affects help desk server. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.9). An issue was discovered in Spiceworks Help Desk Server before 1.3.3. A Blind Boolean SQL injection vulnerability within the order_by_for_ticket function in app/models/reporting/database_query.rb allows an authenticated attacker to execute a

How urgent is CVE-2021-43609?

Priority 60/100. Critical severity; Public exploit reference

References

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