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CVE Record

CVE-2021-23277: Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code

Eaton Intelligent Power Manager (IPM) prior to 1.69 is vulnerable to unauthenticated eval injection vulnerability. The software does not neutralize code syntax from users before using in the dynamic evaluation call in loadUserFile function under scripts/libs/utils.js. Successful exploitation can allow attackers to control the input to the function and execute attacker controlled commands.

HighCVSS 8.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

Eaton Intelligent Power Manager before 1.69 can let an unauthenticated attacker inject code into a dynamic evaluation path. If reached, this could lead to attacker-controlled command execution with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority internal management-plane issue. Prioritize asset discovery and upgrade planning, especially for power-management environments where IPM compromise could affect operational availability.

Technical view

CVE-2021-23277 is CWE-95 eval injection in Eaton IPM's loadUserFile function under scripts/libs/utils.js. The CVSS 3.1 score is 8.3 with adjacent-network attack vector, high complexity, no privileges, no user interaction, changed scope, and high CIA impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely where Eaton IPM is reachable on an adjacent or internal management network. The source bundle names Eaton Intelligent Power Manager prior to 1.69; it does not identify other affected products or CPEs.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. Exploitation is described as unauthenticated but high complexity and adjacent-network, so reachable management networks matter most.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports unauthenticated eval injection and potential command execution, but the bundle does not include exploit details, patch notes beyond the pre-1.69 affected boundary, or confirmed exploitation telemetry.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify Eaton IPM deployments and record exact versions.
  • Update IPM instances earlier than 1.69 according to Eaton guidance.
  • Restrict IPM access to trusted management networks only.
  • Review vendor advisory for any configuration-specific mitigation details.
  • Monitor IPM hosts for unexpected process execution or configuration changes.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether any IPM instance runs a version earlier than 1.69.
  • Verify IPM is not reachable from untrusted networks.
  • Check vulnerability scanner coverage for CVE-2021-23277.
  • Review logs around IPM access and administrative activity.
  • Document compensating controls where upgrades are delayed.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
3

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · medium confidence lookup

CWE-95: Code execution behavior lookup

Code execution and unsafe deserialization weaknesses often justify reviewing execution behavior and process telemetry. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-23277 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
2Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
8.3CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H1.66Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.3High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2021-23277Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
EatonIntelligent Power manager (IPM)unspecifiedListed
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-95

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.