CVE-2021-44981: In QuickBox Pro v2.5.8 and below, the config.php file has a variable which takes a GET parameter value and par

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-44981?

quickbox: upgrade to newer than 2.5.8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-44981 being exploited?

CVE-2021-44981 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-2021-44981 affect?

CVE-2021-44981 affects quickbox. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). In QuickBox Pro v2.5.8 and below, the config.php file has a variable which takes a GET parameter value and parses it into a shell_exec(''); function without properly sanitizing any shell arguments, therefore remote code execution is possibl

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-44981?

Priority 58/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

This month

HIGH 8.8UPGRADE

CVE-2021-44981 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) affecting quickbox. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

In QuickBox Pro v2.5.8 and below, the config.php file has a variable which takes a GET parameter value and parses it into a shell_exec(''); function without properly sanitizing any shell arguments, therefore remote code execution is possible. Additionally, as the media server is running as root by default attackers can use the sudo command within this shell_exec(''); function, which allows for privilege escalation by means of RCE.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.7% (top 10%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-78
Published	2022-01-24
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: quickbox

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

Am I affected?

Timeline

2022-01-24 13:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 04:13 UTCUpdated Record last modified

quickbox quickbox UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.5.8

Fixed in: newer than 2.5.8

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy quickbox || rpm -q quickbox || quickbox --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.5.8 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade quickbox

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade quickbox

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-2021-44981?

quickbox: upgrade to newer than 2.5.8. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-44981 being exploited?

CVE-2021-44981 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-2021-44981 affect?

CVE-2021-44981 affects quickbox. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). In QuickBox Pro v2.5.8 and below, the config.php file has a variable which takes a GET parameter value and parses it into a shell_exec(''); function without properly sanitizing any shell arguments, therefore remote code execution is possibl

How urgent is CVE-2021-44981?

Priority 58/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Sudo vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2021-45281 MEDIUM 6.1 DOWNGRADE QuickBox Pro v2.4.8 contains a cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability at "adminuseredit.php?usertoedit=XSS",

References

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