Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-23673 is a cross-site scripting issue in the pekeupload package. If a user is persuaded to upload a file with JavaScript in its name, that script may run in the browser. This is not a server takeover, but it can expose user data or alter page behavior in affected upload workflows.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted web-application risk, not an emergency infrastructure compromise. Prioritize if pekeupload supports customer, partner, or admin uploads, because successful exploitation could affect browser sessions and trust in the application.
Technical view
The source bundle says all versions of pekeupload are affected. The weakness is filename handling in the upload flow: attacker-controlled JavaScript in a filename can execute after user-assisted upload. CVSS 3.1 is 5.4, with network reachability, low complexity, no privileges, required user interaction, and limited confidentiality and integrity impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where pekeupload is present in web applications that accept user-selected files and display uploaded filenames in browser-rendered UI. Evidence does not identify specific downstream products or platforms beyond the pekeupload package.
Exploitation context
The provided data does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. Exploitation requires user interaction: a user must upload a file with a maliciously crafted filename. The CVSS vector marks exploit code maturity as proof-of-concept, not confirmed widespread exploitation.
Researcher notes
Evidence is narrow: the bundle names pekeupload and references Snyk plus an upstream code location, but does not provide CWE mapping, a fixed version, or confirmed exploitation. Validate real exposure by dependency presence and by reviewing filename rendering paths.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory applications and dependency lockfiles for pekeupload usage.
- Check Snyk and maintainer guidance for any supported fix or replacement.
- Avoid rendering uploaded filenames without proper output encoding.
- Restrict or normalize uploaded filenames where business requirements allow.
- Prioritize remediation for internet-facing or authenticated customer upload flows.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether pekeupload appears in package manifests or bundled frontend assets.
- Identify routes or components that expose pekeupload-based file uploads.
- In staging, verify uploaded filenames render as text, not executable content.
- Review browser-side handling of filenames returned by upload responses.
- Document affected upload paths and compensating controls.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
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CVE-2021-23673 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.4 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P2.82.5Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.4MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N/E:P
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://snyk.io/vuln/SNYK-JS-PEKEUPLOAD-1584360CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/moxiecode/plupload/blob/120cc0b5dd3373d7181fd11b06ac2557c890d3f0/js/jquery.plupload.queue/jquery.plupload.queue.js%23L226CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.