Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-24035 affected WhatsApp for Android and WhatsApp Business for Android before v2.21.8.13. A flaw in archive extraction could let crafted filenames overwrite WhatsApp files. The public sources do not describe broader device compromise, data theft, or confirmed exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a hygiene-driven mobile app update issue unless your organization relies heavily on WhatsApp for business workflows. Prioritize managed Android fleets and BYOD users handling sensitive communications.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-23 path traversal caused by insufficient filename validation while unzipping archives. In affected Android versions, archive entries could traverse intended paths and overwrite WhatsApp application files. The source bundle does not specify the triggering feature, required user interaction, privileges, or post-overwrite impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Android devices running WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business versions earlier than v2.21.8.13. The provided sources do not identify iOS, desktop, server-side, or other Meta products as affected.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV, and the provided sources do not cite active exploitation. Exploitation feasibility cannot be fully assessed from the bundle because the delivery path and operational prerequisites are not described.
Researcher notes
Evidence is sparse: affected versions are bounded by v2.21.8.13, but CVSS, exploit conditions, and impact beyond file overwrite are not provided. Avoid assuming remote code execution or data exfiltration without additional vendor or researcher evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Update WhatsApp for Android to v2.21.8.13 or later.
- Update WhatsApp Business for Android to v2.21.8.13 or later.
- Use MDM or app inventory controls to block outdated affected versions.
- Review WhatsApp’s advisory for any later vendor guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Android devices with WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business installed.
- Confirm installed versions are v2.21.8.13 or later.
- Check unmanaged BYOD populations where corporate data may appear in WhatsApp.
- Record exceptions where users cannot update immediately.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-23: File access and web shell behavior lookup
File traversal and upload weaknesses can lead teams to review file, web shell, execution, and collection 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.
Open ATT&CK lookupFile access behavior lookup
The CVE wording references file access or upload behavior, so file telemetry and web shell review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-24035 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
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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 and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.whatsapp.com/security/advisories/2021/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
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.
Relative Path Traversal
Relative Path Traversal represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.