CVE-2021-26855: Microsoft Exchange Server Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Affects Microsoft Exchange ServerSource CISA KEV
Exploited in the wild · used in ransomware campaigns · KEV due 3 May 2022 · public exploit available (Metasploit, Exploit-DB) · 99% EPSS : apply the vendor's fix or mitigations to Microsoft Exchange Server now.
Data as of 10/24/2026, 22:15:59 UTC
- Exploitation
Actively exploited – in CISA KEV since 11/03/2021
- KEV deadline
- 05/03/2022 US federal agencies must patch by this date; a sensible deadline for everyone else.
- Ransomware
- Used in ransomware campaigns
- EPSS
- 99.9% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 99% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
- Public exploits
- 3 Metasploit modules, 4 Exploit-DB entries, a Nuclei detection templatePublic attack or detection tooling exists; see Public exploits below.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N/E:F/RL:O/RC:CWhat to do
CISA required action
Apply updates per vendor instructions.
Public exploits and detection
Metasploit modules
Exploit-DB
- Microsoft Exchange 2019 - Unauthenticated Email Download (Metasploit)2021-05-21 (opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft Exchange 2019 - Unauthenticated Email Download2021-05-18 (opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft Exchange 2019 - Server-Side Request Forgery2021-03-14 (opens in a new tab)
- Microsoft Exchange 2019 - Server-Side Request Forgery (Proxylogon) (PoC)2021-03-11 (opens in a new tab)
Nuclei detection templates
Public tooling indexed from Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB and ProjectDiscovery nuclei-templates. Its existence raises the odds of exploitation; it does not confirm attacks.
Description
Microsoft Exchange Server contains an unspecified vulnerability that allows for remote code execution. This vulnerability is part of the ProxyLogon exploit chain.
Weaknesses
- CWE-918Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) (opens in a new tab)
Base weaknessCWE Top 25 (2025): #22OWASP Top 10 A01:2025: Broken Access Control (opens in a new tab)
The web server receives a URL or similar request from an upstream component and retrieves the contents of this URL, but it does not sufficiently ensure that the request is being sent to the expected destination.